Clam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clam |
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A clam is a type of animal that lives in water. It has a soft body protected by two hard shells. These shells are connected by a hinge. Clams are part of a group of animals called mollusks, which also includes snails and octopuses.
The word "clam" is a common name. It can refer to many different kinds of bivalves. This includes those living in fresh water, like mussels, and those living in the ocean. It's not a strict scientific term, but it's used a lot, especially when talking about seafood.
In 2007, scientists found a clam off the coast of Iceland. It was an Arctica islandica clam. They first thought it was 405 years old. Later, they found out it was actually 507 years old! This made it the oldest living animal ever found. This amazing clam was named Ming (clam).
Most types of bivalves can be eaten. However, some are too small to be useful. Also, not all species taste good to people.
Contents
Clam Body Parts
A clam's shell has two parts called valves. These valves are usually the same size. They are joined together by a hinge. This hinge has a strong band called a ligament.
Clams have two strong muscles. These muscles pull the shells tightly closed. A clam does not have a head like we do. It also usually does not have eyes. (But scallops, which are also bivalves, do have eyes!)
Even without a head or eyes, a clam has important organs. It has kidneys, a heart, a mouth, and an anus. You can learn more about these animals by looking up bivalves.
A clam cannot smell, taste, feel, hear, or see. Its shell has three layers. The top layer is often called mother-of-pearl. This is because it looks like the shiny material found in pearls.
How Clams Move and Eat
Clams have a special foot. They use this foot to dig into sand or mud. This helps them hide from predators. If you see small holes on a beach when the waves go out, clams might have made them.
Scientists group clams by how deep they dig. Some clams stay less than an inch under the sand. Others dig several inches deep.
Clams eat tiny living things called plankton. They get their food by filter feeding. This means they suck in water and filter out the plankton. Clams themselves are eaten by bigger animals. These include small sharks and squid.
Clams as Food
Clams are a popular food around the world. People cook them in many ways. You can eat them raw, steamed, boiled, or baked. They can also be fried. How they are cooked often depends on their size and type.
Clams are also used to make clam chowder. This is a popular soup in the U.S. and Canada. Another way to cook them is in a New England clam bake. This traditional meal uses hot rocks and seaweed to cook the clams.
Clams in Aquariums
The Maxima clam (Tridacna maxima) is a type of giant clam. It is very popular with people who have saltwater aquariums. Some freshwater clams can also live in fish tanks. They help keep the water clean by acting like a natural filter.
Images for kids
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A clam shell (species Spisula solidissima) at Sandy Hook, New Jersey
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A clam dish
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Clams simmering in a white wine sauce
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One of the world's largest clam fossils (187 cm). This Sphenoceramus steenstrupi fossil is from Greenland. You can see it at the Geological Museum in Copenhagen.
See also
In Spanish: Almeja para niños
