How do shipworms bore into wood?

Shipworms, which are marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Teredinidae, bore into wood using a specialized portion of their anatomy.1

While the majority of the shipworm's body is a long, tubelike structure, its anterior end features a small, white shell. This shell is equipped with file-like ridges that the animal uses to rasp into submerged wooden structures, such as ship hulls and wharves. By performing these rasping motions at a rate of approximately 8 to 12 times per minute, the shipworm effectively cuts into the wood. As it burrows, the animal secretes lime to line the interior of its tunnel, providing a protective environment for its body.12