Once Geoduck dig themselves into the ground, they do not move and stay in the same place for the rest of their lives. When a predator approaches, they do not need to escape and hide-they simply retract its siphon, like a turtle withdraws its head (Smithsonian). Geoducks dig into the ocean floor or mud beds with their tiny feet and remain relatively sedentary. They draw the phytoplankton down one side of the siphon, while water is filtered and expelled through the other side. They utilize their siphon to eat phytoplankton, which are the microscopic creatures geoducks get their nutrients from geoducks are considered filter-feeders. Their long, double-barreled necks are referred to as siphons. One thing that makes the geoduck so interesting is the way it uses its body to eat and defend itself. The average weight is about seven pounds, although some have been reported to be up to 14 pounds!Īgain, the geoduck isn’t the most attractive, but it's not always the looks that matter let’s give the guy a break. The neck resembles an aardvark's snout, an elephant's trunk, or a monstrous prehistoric earthworm emerging from a fist-size shell, among other things.Ĭompared to the giant clam that has a massive shell, the geoduck has a very small shell (typically 6 to 8 inches), and its body can stretch to over three feet long. Its long, leathery neck can stretch to the length of a baseball bat or recoil to a wrinkled nub. It is considered the world’s largest burrowing clam, so some of its physical features aid in its daily activities and defense mechanisms.Īn article in Smithsonian Magazine describes the geoduck’s features in such detail, it had to be included in this article: The geoduck is one goofy-looking species. In Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington, the geoduck is a huge part of the commercial fishing industry, where there are hundreds of millions inhabiting these areas ( Smithsonian ). This area is where the largest geoducks thrive, although other species of the creature are known to live around Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan. Their story comes with rich history, fascinating facts, and obscurity.so keep on reading! Location and Geoduck Physical FeaturesĬurrently, you can find the species, geoduck, living as happy as a clam (literally) in Puget Sound, which is located in the Pacific Northwest. Geoduck is actually a delicacy in many countries and is worth a pretty penny. This clam may not resemble an oyster or a scallop, but they are all from the same mollusk family. While its physical features may be disturbing to some, the geoduck (pronounced “gooey duck”), is an interesting species that more people should know about. The species is quite entertaining to look at and might bring on a few laughs, yet the geoduck is an intriguing creature with neat skills and strange, yet effective behaviors. It is common for people to be awestruck or even confused when they see a photo of a geoduck.
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