the adductor muscles
Clams close their shells with powerful adductor muscles which pull the two valves together. A springy ligament at the hinge pulls the shell open when the muscles relax. Just like us, the clam needs to use nerve cells to signal the muscle to do its thing.
The hinge ligament is a flexible structure that connects the two halves (valves) of a clam shell at the hinge. It acts as a spring to allow the shell to open and close. When the adductor muscles relax, the hinge ligament helps the clam's shell to open.
The adductor muscles control the opening and closing of the clam valves. When these muscles contract, the valves close, and when they relax, the valves open. Clams use this mechanism to protect themselves from predators and regulate their internal environment.
posterior and anterior adductor muscles
it is close so then the blood can float in it nice and easy
Clams are generally covered by a shell. It is a part of the clam's body, and it can open or close; when closed, it serves the purpose of protecting the clam from predators.
If a clam does not open when cooked, that usually means the clam was dead before cooking. Do not eat clams that won't open when cooked. Make sure that the clams have plenty of space to open during the cook. Sometimes the weight on top will prevent opening.
If it is dead it will be open therefore if it is alive it will be closed. Sometimes they are open but still alive, but if you tap their shell they close it.
You can tell if a clam is alive by observing if its shell is tightly closed or slightly open. If the clam is alive, it will try to close its shell tight when handled. A dead clam will have a gaping, gaping, or broken shell.
I am not sure how to get a clam to open naturally. The way I have known to open a clam is by hand.
Steam them open in a big pot on the stove. Put in several cups of water in the bottom, boil, and wait long enough for their little mouths to open. At that point, use a fork to pull out the cooked meat.
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