clam

1. 1. Any of various usually burrowing marine and freshwater bivalve mollusks of the class Pelecypoda, including members of the genera Venus and Mya, many of which are edible.
   2. The soft edible body of such a mollusk.
2. Informal. A close-mouthed person, especially one who can keep a secret.
3. Slang. A dollar: set me back 75 clams.

clam up Informal.

1. To refuse to talk.

[From obsolete clam-shell, shell that clamps, clam, from CLAM².]

[Middle English, from Old English clam, clamm, bond, fetter.]

(click to enlarge)
(Left) Quahog (Mercenaria); (right) soft-shell clam (Mya) (credit: Russ Kinne — Photo Researchers)

In general, any bivalve mollusk. True clams, in the strict sense, have equal shells, closed by two opposing muscles, and a powerful, muscular, burrowing foot. They usually lie buried in the sand in shallow marine waters. Clams draw in and expel water for respiration and feeding through two tubes, the siphons. Species range in size from 0.004 in. to 4 ft (0.1 mm – 1.2 m) across. Many species are edible, including the coquina clam, geoduck, quahog, and soft-shell clam.

For more information on clam, visit Britannica.com.

Several types of marine bivalve molluscs, including scallop, large tropical clam, Tridacna gigas, quahog, Mya arenaria, and Venus mercenaria. A 100-g portion of clams is an exceptionally rich source of vitamin B₁₂; a good source of protein and niacin; contains 120 mg of sodium; supplies 60 kcal (250 kJ).

American Indians used parts of the shell from these bivalve mollusks to make wampum-beads used for barter, ornamental, ceremonial and spiritual purposes. The two main varieties of clams are hard-shell and soft-shell. The hard-shell clams found on the East Coast (where they're also called by the Indian name, quahog) come in three sizes. The smallest are littleneck clams, which have a shell diameter less than 2 inches. Next comes the medium-size cherrystone clam, about 21⁄2 inches across. The largest of this trio is the chowder clam (also called simply "large" clam), with a shell diameter of at least 3 inches. Among the West Coast hard-shell varieties are the pacific littleneck clam, the pismo and the small, sweet butter clams from Puget Sound. soft-shell clams, also called soft clams, actually have thin, brittle shells. They can't completely close their shells because of a long, rubbery neck (or siphon) that extends beyond its edge. The most common East Coast soft-shell is the steamer clam. The most famous West Cost soft-shells are the razor clam (so named because its shell resembles a folded, old-fashioned straight razor) and the geoduck clam (pronounced goo-ee-duck). The geoduck is a comical-looking, 6-inch-long clam with a neck that can reach up to about 11⁄2 feet long. On the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, clams are available year-round. In California, the season is November through April. Clams are sold live in the shell, fresh or frozen shucked, and canned. When buying hard-shell clams in the shell, make sure the shells are tightly closed. If a shell is slightly open, tap it lightly. If it doesn't snap shut, the clam is dead and should be discarded. To test a soft-shell clam, lightly touch its neck; if it moves, it's alive. The guideline for buying shucked clams is plumpness and clear liquid. Store live clams up to 2 days in a 40°F refrigerator; refrigerate shucked clams up to 4 days. Clams can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming and baking. All clams should be cooked gently to prevent toughening. Clams are high in protein and contain fair amounts of calcium and iron. See also shellfish.

Idioms beginning with clam:
clamp down on
clam up

In addition to the idiom beginning with clam, also see happy as the day is long (as a clam).

The bucket of a clamshell.

There are a large number of clams; one which is cultivated commercially is venerupis japonica.

It has been suggested that Bivalvia be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

For other uses, see Clam (disambiguation).

Clam
Edible clams in the family Veneridae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia

Clam, cockle and ark clam output in 2005

In the USA, the word "clam" can be used in several different ways: one, is as a general term covering all bivalve mollusks. The word can also be used in a more limited sense, to mean bivalves which burrow in sediment, as opposed to ones which attach themselves to the substrate (for example oysters and mussels), or ones which can swim and are migratory, like scallops. In addition the word "clam" can be used in an even more limited sense, to mean one or more species of commonly consumed marine bivalves, as in the phrase clam chowder, meaning a thick shellfish soup usually made using the hard clam. Many edible bivalves have a roughly oval shape; however, the edible razor clam has an elongated, parallel-sided shell, whose shape suggests that of an old-fashioned straight razor.

In the UK, the word clam is not as widely used: it forms part of the common names of various species of bivalve mollusk, but it is not used as a general term to cover edible clams that burrow, and it is not used as a general term for all bivalves.

The word "clam" can be applied to freshwater mussels, and other freshwater bivalves, as well as marine bivalves.^[1]

Numerous edible marine bivalve species live buried in sand or mud, and respire by means of siphons which reach to the surface. In the USA, these clams are collected by "digging for clams" or clam digging. Again, in the USA, clam diggers is a term that can mean people who are searching for clams, or it can also mean one variety of three-quarter length pants or trousers.

In October 2007 an Arctica islandica clam, caught off the coast of Iceland, was discovered to be at least 405 years old, and was declared the world's oldest living animal by researchers from Bangor University, see Ming (clam).

In regard to the concept of edible clams, most species of bivalves are at least potentially edible. However some are too small to be useful, and not all species are considered palatable.

The word "clam" has given rise to the metaphor "clamming up", meaning refusing to speak, at least on a certain topic. A "clam shell" is the name given to a plastic container which is hinged, and which consists of two equal halves that lock together.

Contents 1 Anatomy 2 Human uses 2.1 As food items 2.1.1 In North America 2.1.2 In Italy 2.1.3 In India 2.2 In an aquarium 2.3 In a religious context 3 As currency 4 Some examples of clams 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

Anatomy

Littleneck clams, small hard clams, species Mercenaria mercenaria

A clam's shell consists of two (usually equal) valves, which are connected by a hinge joint and a ligament which can be external or internal, much like a Venus Flytrap.

In clams, two adductor muscles contract to close the shells. The clam has no head, and usually has no eyes, (scallops are a notable exception), but a clam does have kidneys, a heart, a mouth, and an anus. For more information see bivalve and pseudofeces.

Clams, like most mollusks, also have open circulatory systems, which means that their organs are surrounded by watery blood that contains nutrients and oxygen.

Clams eat plankton by filter feeding, and they themselves are eaten by small sharks and squid

Human uses

Commercial
Mollusks
Abalone
Clams
Cockles
Escargot
Geoduck
Periwinkles
Mussel
Oysters
Scallops
Cephalopods
Fishing industry
Fisheries
I N D E X
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As food items

In North America

In culinary use, within the eastern coast of the USA, the term "clam" most often refers to the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria. It may also refer to several other common edible species, such as the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, and the ocean quahog, Arctica islandica. Another species which is commercially exploited on the Atlantic Coast of the US is the surf clam Spisula solidissima.

Clams can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked or fried; the method of preparation depends partly on the size and species of the clam. They can also be made into clam chowder (a popular soup in the U.S. and Canada) or they can be cooked using hot rocks and seaweed in a New England clam bake.

In Italy

In Italy, clams are often an ingredient of mixed seafood dishes, or are eaten together with pasta. The more commonly used varieties of clams in Italian cooking are the Vongola (Venerupis decussata), the Cozza (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and the Tellina (Donax trunculus). A variety of mussel called Dattero di mare (Lithophaga lithophaga) was also once widely popular as seafood. However, since overfishing drove it on the verge of exctintion (it takes 15 to 35 years to reach adult size and could only be harvested by smashing the calcarean rocks that form its habitat), it has been declared an endangered species by the Italian government since 1998, and its harvest and sale are forbidden.

In India

In the south western coast of India, also known as the Konkan region, Clams are used to cook curries and side dishes, like Tisaryachi Ekshipi which is Clams with one shell on.

In an aquarium

Maxima clam, Tridacna maxima.

The Maxima clam Tridacna maxima, a species of giant clam, is a popular species with saltwater aquarium hobbyists.

In a religious context

Moche clam. 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.

The Moche people of ancient Peru worshiped the sea and its animals. They often depicted clams in their art.^[2]

In Jewish tradition all Mollusca are considered non kosher and as such are strictly avoided by religious Jews.

As currency

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2009)

Some species of clams, particularly Mercenaria mercenaria, were in the past used by the Algonquin of Eastern North America to manufacture wampum, a type of shell money.

Some examples of clams

The world's largest clam (187 cms), a Sphenoceramus steenstrupi fossil from Greenland in the Geological Museum in Copenhagen

Edible:

• Grooved carpet shell: Ruditapes decussatus
• Hard clam or Northern Quahog: Mercenaria mercenaria
• Manila clam: Venerupis philippinarum^[3]
• Soft clam: Mya arenaria
• Atlantic surf clam: Spisula solidissima
• Ocean quahog: Arctica islandica
• Pacific razor clam: Siliqua patula
• Pismo clam: Tivela stultorum (8 inch shell on display at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce)
• Geoduck clam: Panopea abrupta or Panope generosa (largest burrowing clam in the world)
• Atlantic jackknife clam: Ensis directus

Not usually considered edible:

• Ark clams, family Arcidae
• Nut clams or pointed nut clams, family Nuculidae
• Duck clams or trough shells, family Mactridae
• Marsh clams, family Corbiculidae
• File clams, family Limidae
• Giant clam: Tridacna gigas
• Asian or Asiatic clam: genus Corbicula
• Peppery furrow shell: Scrobicularia plana

See also

• Clam bake
• Clam boil
• Fried clams
• Clam chowder
• Clam cakes

References

1. ^ "Merriam-Webster Dictionary". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clam%5B2%5D. 
2. ^ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
3. ^ "Invertebrates - Manila Clam". http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/publications/speciesbook/invertebrates/manila.html. 

External links

• Nutrition Facts for Clams
• Deep In The Ocean A Clam That Acts Like A Plant Science Daily March 2, 2007
• How to Shuck Hard Shell Clams
• Hardshell Clams

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Look up clam in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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Dansk (Danish)
1.
n. - musling, tavs person, bommert
v. intr. - klappe i, være tavs, samle muslinger

2.
n. - dollar

Nederlands (Dutch)
tweekleppig schelpdier, oester, teruggetrokken persoon, strandgapers zoeken

Français (French)
1.
n. - palourde
v. intr. - aller à la pêche aux palourdes

idioms:

• clam up    ne plus piper mot (à qn)

2.
n. - (US) dollar (arch)

Deutsch (German)
1.
n. - (zool) zweischalige eßbare Muschel
v. - Muscheln suchen, den Mund nicht (mehr) aufmachen

idioms:

• clam up    verstummen

2.
n. - (USA) (infor) ein Dollar

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ζωολ.) οστρακοειδές, δίθυρο μαλάκιο (κτένι, μύδι, στρείδι κ.λπ.), (μτφ.) ντροπαλός, κλειστός τύπος
v. - συλλέγω οστρακοειδή, (μτφ.) σωπαίνω, κλείνω το στόμα μου

Italiano (Italian)
ostrica, appiccicarsi

Português (Portuguese)
n. - molusco (m) (Zool.), viscosidade (f), indivíduo (m) taciturno, dólar (m) (gír.) (EUA)
v. - colher mariscos

Русский (Russian)
моллюск, замкнутый человек, собирать моллюсков

Español (Spanish)
1.
n. - almeja, grapa
v. intr. - pescar almejas, callarse como un muerto

idioms:

• clam up    llamarse a silencio

2.
n. - sonido simultáneo de dos o más campanas

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - ätlig mussla, tillknäppt person (vard.), dollar (am. sl.)
v. - samla musslor

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
1. 蛤, 蚌, 蛤蜊, 沉默寡言的人, 守口如瓶的人, 蛤肉, 蛤式抓斗, 拾蛤, 挖蛤, 捞蛤, 保持沉默, 闭嘴不言

2. 钳, 夹具, 夹子, 钳子

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 蛤, 蚌, 蛤蜊, 沈默寡言的人, 守口如瓶的人, 蛤肉, 蛤式抓鬥
v. intr. - 拾蛤, 挖蛤, 撈蛤, 保持沈默, 閉嘴不言

2.
n. - 鉗, 夾具, 夾子, 鉗子

한국어 (Korean)
1.
n. - 대합조개, 꺽쇠, 잘못, 1 달러
v. intr. - 대합조개를 잡다

2.
n. - 가락이 안 맞는 음

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - ハマグリ, 二枚貝, 無口な人, 蛤
v. - ハマグリを採る

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) نوع من السمك الصدفي (فعل) يسكت‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮צדפה‬
v. intr. - ‮אסף צדפות‬
n. - ‮שתקן, נחבא אל הכלים‬

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