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Tresus capax (Gaper clam)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
Valves
of this species grow to a length of 8 ½ inches. Its
oval shaped chalky white valves may be partially covered by light
brown periostracum. The fused, leathery tipped siphons of
a gaper clam are too large to be retracted into the shell and there
is a large gape at the posterior end of the valves to accommodate
them. This large clam may be found buried in the sediment
to a depth of 20 inches. A gaper clam's whereabouts on the
beach may be revealed by its tendency to squirt a plume of water
into the air if it is disturbed. This species is
found on beaches with sandy mud or mud with gravel and shell debris
and it can live to depths of 100 feet. Predators include
the sunflower star, giant pink seastar, moonsnails, and Dungeness
crabs. If dug up, a gaper clam cannot rebury itself.
Most individuals of this species carry symbiotic pea crabs within
the mantle. Other common names for Tresus capax
are horse clam, fat gaper, Alaskan gaper, and otter clam.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 1/22/06.
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