Paphies australis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paphies australis |
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The pipi (scientific name: Paphies australis) is a type of shellfish. It's a bivalve mollusc, which means it has two hinged shells. The name "pipi" comes from the Māori language. You can only find pipi in New Zealand; they are endemic there.
Pipi have strong, white shells that are long and even on both sides. The highest point of the shell is right in the middle. A thin, yellowish layer called a periostracum covers the shell. Pipi can grow up to 83 millimeters (about 3.3 inches) long and 51 millimeters (about 2 inches) high.
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What Makes Pipi Special?
Pipi are closely related to another New Zealand shellfish called the tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata). However, you can tell them apart by their shells. A pipi's shell is symmetrical, meaning both sides are the same. A tuatua's shell is not symmetrical, with its hinge off-centre.
Where Do Pipi Live?
Pipi love living in sandy places. You can find many of them on flat, sandy beaches. They also live in sandy and muddy areas in estuaries and harbors. These are places where rivers meet the sea and there is a lot of water movement.
How Pipi Move Around
Pipi have a clever way to move to new spots. They release a sticky thread of mucus. This mucus helps them float higher in the water. They can then drift with the currents to find better places to live. If they find a good home, their numbers can grow very large. Sometimes, more than 1000 pipi can live in just one square meter!
Pipi as a Food Source
Pipi are a popular food in New Zealand. They are easy to collect and taste great. People often boil them or make them into tasty fritters. They are also used as the "clams" in a creamy soup called clam chowder.
For the Māori people, pipi have always been a very important traditional food. In the past, they used special flax baskets to gather pipi. These baskets were designed so that smaller pipi would fall back into the water. This allowed them to grow bigger for future harvests.
Rules for Collecting Pipi
If you want to collect pipi in New Zealand, there are rules to follow. Each person can collect up to 50 pipi per day. There isn't a minimum size rule, but it's always best to only take the larger ones. This helps make sure there are enough pipi for everyone in the future.
