northern quahog

The northern quahog, scientifically known as Mercenaria mercenaria, is a species of edible clam. It belongs to the class Bivalvia, which are mollusks characterized by a two-part shell. Small northern quahogs are often referred to as "cherrystones". These clams typically inhabit sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters and are known for their thick, rounded shells, which are usually dingy white. The northern quahog is a significant food clam along the Atlantic coast of North America, found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico.12