Clams!
July 20, 2020 2:33 PM Subscribe
Dan Killiam lays out some wild clam facts and some tricky clam research. Ecology, paleogeobiochemistry, stable isotope fractionation, some great pictures.
"Clamsplainer" :D
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:58 PM on July 20, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:58 PM on July 20, 2020 [5 favorites]
To be fair, they are wild clam facts.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:49 PM on July 20, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:49 PM on July 20, 2020 [3 favorites]
But why are giant clams so colorfully stripy and beauteous?
posted by away for regrooving at 12:19 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by away for regrooving at 12:19 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also, if anyone is a clam or FOAF-of-a-clam, why do buried beach clams squirt water? Is it "go away, you up there!"? It has always seemed like it carries more risk -- hey, tasty clam right down here -- than reward -- especially since a lion or similar clam-eater can know each squirt means the clam's squirting capacity is depleted accordingly.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:22 AM on July 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by away for regrooving at 12:22 AM on July 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
This video shows how to catch razor clams at the beach to charming music. Probably not suitable for vegetarians.
posted by biffa at 3:52 AM on July 21, 2020
posted by biffa at 3:52 AM on July 21, 2020
I'm sorry, really I am, but I just can't let a clam post go by without linking to ol' Buddy. CLAMS! If I hear one fucking clam from ANYBODY, you've HAD IT! One CLAM, and this whole fucking band is through, TONIGHT!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:12 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:12 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
To answer the questions above:
posted by dantheclamman at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2020 [16 favorites]
But why are giant clams so colorfully stripy and beauteous?Giant clams are colorful because their tissue is full of cells called iridocytes which direct more light to the symbionts!
why do buried beach clams squirt water? Is it "go away, you up there!"Clams generally shoot water when they are opening and closing their shells. Some burrowing clams use their shell like a bellows to assist in clearing away dirt when digging. They are in the process of digging deeper away from you and the squirting water is exhaust :D
posted by dantheclamman at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2020 [16 favorites]
Thanks, dantheclammnan! Welcome to MetaFilter!
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 8:51 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 8:51 AM on July 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by zsh2v1 at 3:10 PM on July 20, 2020 [6 favorites]