Carditamera gracilis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carditamera gracilis
Scientific classification
Genus:	Carditamera
Species:	gracilis

Carditamera gracilis, also known as the West Indian cardita, is a type of bivalve mollusc. Think of it like a clam or an oyster! It belongs to the Carditidae family. You can find this interesting creature living near the West Indies.

What Does It Look Like?

The Carditamera gracilis has a shell that is a bit long and strong. It's usually about 40 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. Its shell has clear ridges, called 'radial ribs,' that run from the hinge outwards. The back of the shell is a bit higher. The shell is white with brown spots on the outside. Inside, it has a shiny, pearly look.

Where Does It Live?

This bivalve mollusc lives in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

What's Its Home Like?

The Carditamera gracilis usually lives in shallow waters close to the mainland coast. It likes to attach itself to rocky surfaces on the seafloor.