Scallops have short tentacles and 30-40 blue eyes around the edge of their shells. The eyes allow scallops to detect predators. (Rachael Norris and Marina Freudzon/Wikimedia Commons)
The bay scallop is a bivalve that lives in the lower Chesapeake Bay’s salty, shallow waters. Its ribbed, multicolored shells are often found on beaches throughout the lower Bay.
Appearance:
Rounded, corrugated shells
Shells vary in color from gray or purple to reddish-brown
Interior is white, often with purple near the hinge
A pair of pointed “ears” at the hinge
Short tentacles and 30-40 blue eyes around the edge of the shells
Lacks a foot or siphon like most other bivalves
Grows to 3 inches in diameter
Habitat:
Lives in shallow waters, usually among eelgrass beds
Unlike other bivalves, bay scallops lie on the bottom, rather than burrowing under the sand
Shells are often found on sandy beaches
Range:
Lives in the salty waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay
Feeding:
Filter feeder
Draws water through its gills and filters out plankton
Predators:
Sea stars and other bottom-feeders prey upon bay scallops
Uses its eyes to detect nearby predators
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Reaches sexual maturity around age one
Spawns in summer
Young scallops attach themselves to eelgrass and other objects by thin threads. They eventually drop to the bottom as they grow.
Lives approximately two years
Other Facts:
Each eye has a lens, retina, cornea and optic nerve, enabling the scallop to see movement and shadows
Scallops move by rapidly clapping their shells together, forcibly ejecting water from the cavity. This is different than most other bivalves, which use a foot to move.
