Razor clams (Siliqua patula) are the signature shellfish associated with the west coast and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The long, exposed sandy beaches are perfect habitat for this surf-loving clam. In the national park, the stretch of Long Beach between Green Point and Schooner Cove is prime Pacific razor clam habitat. While live clams are difficult to view, if …
Clams
Saving the Magnificent Pacific Gaper
It is not often that you see a living horse clam on the surface of the beach unless you have taken the effort to dig one out yourself. That’s why Jocie and I initially thought that the Pacific gaper (Tresus nuttallii) that we found at Miracle Beach was dead. We quickly realized otherwise after touching the extended siphon and watching …
Horse Clam Shells
In my last post I wrote about finding weird but fascinating Horse Clam siphons sticking out of the sand and trying to identify the species based on what could be seen on the surface. Fortunately it is a lot easier to separate the Fat Gaper (Tresus capax) from the Pacific Gaper (Tresus nuttallii) if you’ve got shells that you’ve found …
Flacid Horse Clam Siphons
I love turning over rocks in the intertidal zone – you never know what you might find! Many creatures that live in the intertidal zone bury themselves beneath the surface. Looking for clues that there is living creature under the sand or gravel is very worthwhile. Finding the siphon of a horse clam (Tresus sp.) can be a provocative discovery. …
Pacific Littlenecks
I’m always on the lookout for shells of all sorts when I’m out walking the beach. I don’t collect them but simply enjoy picking them up, taking a closer look at them and then returning them to the beach for someone else to find. After all, shells taken home usually end up in shoe boxes tucked onto the top shelf …
See Shells by the Sea Shore
A young beachcomber discovers some Japanese Varnish Clams on the beach at Kye Bay, Comox, BC. One of the joys of walking the beaches of Vancouver Island is finding a clam shell or two while out on the sand or cobble. For those new to West Coast beach combing, determining the species of bivalve that the shell belongs to can …
Butter Clams at Goose Spit
Goose Spit in Comox, British Columbia is a good place to look for things washed up in the tide. The long, sandy beaches often deliver intertidal treasures. Seaweed in the strand line is intriguing to examine. Beachwalkers can look for the shells of dead clams exposed by the dropping tide. One of the clams that we discovered on Tuesday at …