Boreal awning clam facts for kids

Solemya borealis, also known as the boreal awning clam, is a special type of clam that lives in the ocean. It is a species of bivalve mollusc. This means it's an animal with a soft body protected by two hinged shells. These clams are part of the family called Solemyidae, which are often known as "awning clams." You can find Solemya borealis living along the northeastern coast of North America. They live in the waters from Nova Scotia in Canada all the way down to Connecticut in the United States.

What Does the Boreal Awning Clam Look Like?

The Solemya borealis clam has a unique appearance. Its shell is long and oval-shaped. The top and bottom edges of its shell run almost parallel to each other.

Size and Color

These clams can grow to be quite large for a clam. They can reach a length of about 8 to 10 centimeters. That's about the length of a standard pen! The outside of their shell is covered by a dark brown layer. This layer is called the periostracum. It helps protect the shell underneath.

How Does the Boreal Awning Clam Get Food?

Solemya borealis has a very interesting way of getting its food. Unlike many clams that filter food from the water, these clams have a special helper.

Tiny Helpers Inside

Inside their gills, Solemya borealis clams have tiny, helpful bacteria. These bacteria are called chemoautotrophic bacteria. They are "chemo" because they use chemicals to make their own food. They don't need sunlight like plants do.

A Special Partnership

These bacteria live in a close partnership with the clam. This partnership is called symbiosis. The bacteria live inside the clam's inner gill filaments. In return for a safe home, the bacteria provide food for the clam. It's like a tiny, living food factory right inside the clam!