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- Clams are bivalved mollusks that can live up to 35 years and grow up to five inches in diameter; however, most N.C. clams are harvested when they are two years old at the minimum harvest size of one inch thick.
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- Keyhole Sand Dollar. This round sea urchin is tan to light brown and ranges in size from 5 to 6 inches. Its five slots look like keyholes.
- Scotch Bonnet. The creamy white-colored shell has yellowish brown squares in rows and 20 spiral grooves on the body. It ranges in size from 1.5 to 4 inches.
- Coquina Clam. Generally less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length, and is characterized by its smooth surface and its dual shell. They can range in color from orange to brown, to purple, or pink with banded white or cream stripes.
- Soft Shelled Clam. This clam is found living approximately 6–10 in (15–25 cm) under the surface of the mud. These shells are very thin and easily broken, hence the name “soft-shells.”
Clams are bivalved mollusks that can live up to 35 years and grow up to five inches in diameter; however, most N.C. clams are harvested when they are two years.
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- Identify Your Clams
- Why Should We Care About Clams?
- Atlantic Giant Cockle
- Yellow Prickly Cockle
- Florida Prickly Cockle
- Egg Shell Cockle
"Clam" can be a term that covers all bivalves, such as scallops, oysters, arks, and cockles, to name a few. When identifying bivalves, look for color, size, shape, number of ribs, and the wings or ears that project at the hinge. Without further ado, it is time to get started identifying 19 clam seashells from my generous collection, which I hope wi...
Clams have been a part of Earth's ecosystem for at least 500 million years as one of the first-ever complex organisms. They also feed the world! Further, they leave behind their hardened calcium carbonate remains to settle at the ocean bottom. After millions of years, their shells break up, get buried under layers of sediment and then heat and pres...
The Atlantic Giant Cockle, also known as the Great Heart Cockle(Dinocardium robustum) is a very beautiful bivalve. Its shell is well-inflated, sturdy and large. It displays 32 to 36 radiating ribs and is commonly colored tan with reddish-brown patches on its outer shell and a deep pinkish interior. In general, Cockles or Heart Shells of the U.S. At...
The Yellow Prickly Cockle or Yellow Cockle (Trachycardiummuricatum) is a small, cherry round cockle with 20 to 40 radiating ribs. The ribs near the beak area are smooth; those farther out from the beak have small spines. The shell is yellowish-white with a delicate white to yellow-tinted interior.
The Florida Prickly Cockle (Trachyardium egmontianum) is well-inflated, medium size, has a white to tannish to light-brown exterior and a salmon, pinkish color or sometimes purple interior. The 27 to 31 radial ribs on the outer shell are more scoop-shaped than the Yellow Prickly Cockle.
The Egg (or Egg Shell) Cockle (Laevicardium laevigatum,) shells at first glance may be mistaken for an egg by their elongated oval shape and smooth surface. The shell is rather thin and inflated. Its fine radial ribs are delicately etched and undetectable by touch, giving the shell's surface a smooth and polished appearance. The color is white, oft...
The shells are usually much larger than those of the Asian blood arkshell clams (also described in this gallery), reaching up to 2.5 inches in width. This ark is also typically sold live. Commonly harvested in North Carolina during the process of harvesting Hardshell Clams. Typical Range: Virginia to Texas.
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May 26, 2017 · The most common mollusk shells found on the beaches of North Carolina are of the classes Bivalvia and Gastropodia. The name bivalve comes from the two valves, or parts of the shell, that are hinged together like a door. Common bivalves are clams, oysters and scallops.
Jul 29, 2022 · Coquina Beach on the southern tip of Nags Head offers what its name promises: lots of coquina clam shells spread upon the shoreline. South Beach is located next to Cape Point in Buxton and is a south-facing beach, as its name suggests.
In NC, you’ll be able to find scotch bonnets (the NC State shell), conches, whelks, periwinkles, sundials, olive shells, and so many more shells. But also keep a lookout for shark teeth, sand dollars, and sea glass, as you’ll probably find them while you’re out shelling.
