Fan Clam

As its name suggests, the shell of a fan clam is shaped like a hand fan. Don’t underestimate it though, because the broad, fan-shaped edge of its shell is super sharp and can slice like a blade! If it breaks, the edge can be repaired until it is sharp again. To avoid injury, please do not step on fan clams!

Although the curved, fan-shaped edge of its shell is exposed above ground, the narrow, pointed end of the fan clam is buried underground to anchor the animal to its position on the shore. While the fan clam keeps its shell tightly closed during low tide, it opens its shell slightly during high tide to let seawater in. This enables the fan clam to filter feed on the plankton and other food particles drifting in the water!