Posted by Pooja Patel on March 24, 2006

Q: How does a clam get food?

A: Good question if a clam doesn't have an obvious mouth! Actually, clams have two siphons - an incoming and an outgoing tube - through which water enters and leaves the body. These tubes make it possible for the clam to bathe its gills with water and therefore oxygen for life. It also makes it possible for the clam to filter out tiny bits of plankton floating around in the water. The plankton comes in with the water, gets caught on the clam's gills and is kind of scrapped off and eaten. So, no mouth as you think of but certainly a very effective way of getting its food. In a sense, the clam is constantly getting food as it takes in water all day and night. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( March 25, 2006)