Bay Scallop | MoreBeach.com | Scallop, Scallops, Shell, Their, Bay

Bay Scallop

Bay Scallop (Aequipecten irradians)

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Bay scallops are well known not only as great seafood but also as beautiful shells found along the seashore. The bay scallop is a type of bivalve with two similarly shaped shells enclosing the animal’s body inside. The shells themselves can be 3 inches long, vary in color and are covered the full length by ridges or ribs. The front of the scallop is rounded and at the rear the two halves come to a point that is flanked by two small wings of similar size. The mantle of the scallop, which is a layer of tissue lining the body and also what secretes the shell, can sometimes be seen slightly protruding from inside the shell. Bay scallops detect potential predators with their eyes that are located along the outer edge of the mantle. The eyes are blue in color, which gives this scallop the alternative name of the “blue-eyed scallop,” and they can detect changes in light intensity such as when a predator approaches and casts a shadow over the scallop. Also along the front edge of the mantle are tentacles that can sense the touch of a predator such a sea star, green crab, or even a human. Herring gulls are also a common predator of bay scallops. During a low tide, gulls will pick up a scallop in their beak, rise into the air and then drop it to the ground to break it open. These scallops spend most of their time resting on the sea floor with their shells slightly open to feed. They are filter feeders and catch their food by pumping water in through the front of the shell and out through the back. Any food particles, such as small bits of algae, diatoms, and bacteria, are trapped inside.
Although scallops are usually stationary, they are able to swim short distances. Scallops have a muscle on their body called the adductor, which is the tastiest part for people to eat, and also the muscle that closes the shell. As the shell closes, water is expelled through the back of the shell and the animal is propelled forward. Scallops swim in a zigzag motion with the rounded part of the body forward and occasionally bounce off the ocean bottom.
Bay scallops are usually found in eelgrass beds or on sandy or muddy bottoms. Shells of the bay scallop are very common along the beach. Strong wave action along the shore usually breaks apart the two halves of a scallop, but if you are lucky you might find one still intact!

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