How do you tell if clams are alive?

Answer 1

well clams tend to react when you tap them hard and close their shells...thus if you tap it and it doesn't close its dead....also if it smells....though pet clams are not really advisable anyway as they eat plankton and will more or less end up dead...quickly

Answer 2

The most common way to check for lifesigns in a clam is to use your hands on them.

If they do not react (like closing up the little gap between the two halves) then they are most likely dead.

If they do close up or they are closed fully and you can not easily pull the two halves apart, then they are very much alive.

Clams are dead after you have boiled them.

Try using some White Wine, a clove of Garlic and a sliced Yellow Onion next time you are 'killing' clams for food. They taste delichious afterwards.

Note:

Water is not needed when preparing clams for food. They release a lot of water themselves and by not adding more water you actually preserve the taste of them.

For a full kettle of clams I would use 1 cup of white wine, one clove of garlic and one sliced large yellow onion.

Answer 3

when there mouth is open and if you pick him up its hard to close his mouth.

Answer 4

if it is open you poke it with something and if it closes its alive if it dose nothing it is dead

Answer 5

if you watch it closely for a while or record it on video you will see that it will open a little and close for air if it doesn't its dead

Answer 6

When the clam is dead, it's shell would be opened or can easily be opened.

Answer 7

A clam that is open and doesn't close when you touch it is dead.