The Moon Snail drill holes are so perfect. They have always fascinated me. I once collected maybe 100 surf clam shells many of them drilled for a 1st day of class experience. I spread them all out on a table and the (small) class gathered around and I asked them what QUESTIONS they had as they looked at the collection of bivalve shells. Hints: shells were different sizes; L or R side of the clam; drilled holes were different diameters; all holes are nearly the same place on the shells, etc. // As for the video moon snail attack on razor clam, I'm guessing it was in an aquarium, set up for the filming. Ensis directus is a notably fast digger, but we didn't see that. I've heard they can outdig a clammer working with a shovel! And how was it that 2 Ensis were lying on their side on top of the sand? Never seen that. I have more picky questions, but will leave it at that. Thanks! great issue.
I suspect the same about the razor clam, although: I imagine moon snails *do* occasionally prey on razor clams and the shells simply shatter/the enzyme disables them before they need to finish the hole! Have you read the book I mentioned? Some pretty fascinating stuff about rates of predation inferred from collected shells
Ive got someone I can introduce you to on LBI when you make your way down to that part of the Jersey shore - and I’d haul the whole family along for a trip down there too :)
Thanks Robert!
What a good read! I can't wait for the rest of this series - and for Down the Shore!
The Moon Snail drill holes are so perfect. They have always fascinated me. I once collected maybe 100 surf clam shells many of them drilled for a 1st day of class experience. I spread them all out on a table and the (small) class gathered around and I asked them what QUESTIONS they had as they looked at the collection of bivalve shells. Hints: shells were different sizes; L or R side of the clam; drilled holes were different diameters; all holes are nearly the same place on the shells, etc. // As for the video moon snail attack on razor clam, I'm guessing it was in an aquarium, set up for the filming. Ensis directus is a notably fast digger, but we didn't see that. I've heard they can outdig a clammer working with a shovel! And how was it that 2 Ensis were lying on their side on top of the sand? Never seen that. I have more picky questions, but will leave it at that. Thanks! great issue.
I suspect the same about the razor clam, although: I imagine moon snails *do* occasionally prey on razor clams and the shells simply shatter/the enzyme disables them before they need to finish the hole! Have you read the book I mentioned? Some pretty fascinating stuff about rates of predation inferred from collected shells
Ive got someone I can introduce you to on LBI when you make your way down to that part of the Jersey shore - and I’d haul the whole family along for a trip down there too :)
Thank You!! It might take me a while to get down there, but I will for sure take you up on that 🙏🙏
Great piece! My walks on the beach this summer won’t be the same. This is the first time I felt sympathy for a razor clam!