Clams
Rebecca Prunty
Introduction
It is remarkable to note that the Giant Clam weighs as much as a gorilla. These hard shelled aquatic animals have a very odd appearance, diet, and life cycle. Its hard to believe but, a Giant Clam can grow so big because they eat sugar and protein just like us!
Appearance
Diet
Would you believe that a clam’s shell is its dinner table? Order up! They eat algae nutrients from their shells, though it’s not much of a five star restaurant. Clams also eat algae, phytoplankton, and nutrients from the water. This one footed animal collects algae for the most part, Giant Clams open and close their mouth, and snagging fish trying to eat the algae off from the clam’s shell. However, there is a mysterious clam-the disco clam. It has a flashing strobe light that resembles a disco ball, and it is believed to attract prey! Depending on the type of clam, it is either herbivorous
(smaller clams), or omnivorous (giant clams).Life Cycle
Can you imagine a Giant Clam is able to release more than 500 million eggs at a time? First, the clam deposits eggs or sperms, depending on the gender. Second, the fertilized egg will develop into a larva. Third, the now free swimming larva without a shell will turn into an adult in several months. Hopefully, not being eaten by any easy predators.
However, certain freshwater clams are hermaphroditic. They keep fertilized eggs in a pouch and they are born with shells. Herm-a-fro-dit-ick (hermaphroditic), is some what like marsupials, grown until old enough to be released.Conclusion
Lazy Clam
Diorama
A clam, a jelly fish, an angel fish, coral, seaweed, a starfish, algae, and sea grass.(algae and sea grass not visible)