Clam

Hi there! My name is Clam. I live down at the bottom of the water, tucked safely in the soft sand or mud. You might not see me right away because I like to stay cozy and hidden. My home is very special because I carry it with me everywhere I go. It’s my shell! My shell has two parts that fit together perfectly, like two hands clasped together. This strong home keeps me safe and sound from bigger fish who might want to nibble on me. It’s the best little house in the whole underwater world.

You might think I just sit still all day, but I can move when I want to. I have one strong, muscular foot that I can poke out of my shell. It doesn't look like your foot, but it works perfectly for me. I use it to wiggle and dig myself down into my sandy bed, where I feel the most comfortable. When I get hungry, I don't have to go anywhere to find a meal. My food comes right to me! I have two little built-in straws called siphons. I stick one siphon out to slurp in water, which is filled with tiny, yummy snacks called plankton. They are so small you can't even see them, but they are delicious.

My shell grows with me as I get older. It adds new layers on the outside, and you can see little lines that show how much I've grown, kind of like birthday marks. My family is one of the oldest on Earth. Our ancestors were living in the oceans way back in the Cambrian Period, over 500 million years ago. That means my great-great-great-great-grandparents were around even before the dinosaurs stomped the Earth! We have been wiggling in the sand and filtering water for a very long time.

My favorite thing to do is clean the water. It’s my most important job in the ecosystem. After I use one siphon to bring in water for my plankton snack, I use my other siphon to send the water back out, all clean and clear. By filtering my food, I make the water clearer and healthier for all the other animals, like fish and crabs, that live near me. Even though I’m small, I’m a big helper. I love being a little cleaner-upper for my underwater neighborhood, and that is how I make a difference every single day.