clam: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

A quahog clam shell (Mercenaria) on the left and a soft-shell clam shell (Mya) on the right, both resting on sandy ground.

Clams near Rose Atoll

Oysters, clams and mussels arranged on crushed ice with clearly visible price tag at a seafood market.

diagram of rigid skeletons worked by muscles

See All Images →

Topics

What’s the difference between clams, mussels, and oysters?soft-shell clam Tridacnidae cockle piddock ark shell geoduck coquina clam gaper clam razor clam oyster mussel Gryphaea Monopleura Venericardia Glans Exogyra Byssonychia Inoceramus Myalina

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz