In general, geoducks reach 1.5 pounds in three to five years of growth. They attain their maximum size by about 15 years and can live at least as long as 168 years.
The geoducks’ enormous siphon, which measures about 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length when agitated, outperforms their shells, which are about 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) long. Continue reading, you will learn more about geoducks including the tastes, living places, and industry.
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What is a Geoduck?
Large and with easy anatomy, a geoduck is a clam. The siphon or neck, which protrudes from the shell, and the mantle (also known as breast), the meaty portion inside the shell, are the two main components to keep in mind. Native to the Pacific Northwest and Western Canadian coast, geoducks anchor themselves into the ground with a small “foot,” and remain in one spot for their entire lives. The enormous saltwater clam filters seawater several feet below the surface for plankton and valuable vitamins before sucking out the excess through an impressive siphon. Depending on how at ease they are (they are happiest and longest when they are underground), their necks can easily stretch from banana to baseball lengths.
Where Is Geoduck Live?
Presently, Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest is home to the species known as geoduck, which is literally having the time of its life. The largest geoducks live in this region, though other species are also known to inhabit Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan. The geoduck, which numbers in the hundreds of millions and is found in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington, plays a significant role in the commercial fishing sector there.
What Are the Geoduck’s Physical Features?
One odd-looking species is the geoduck. Given that it is regarded as the largest burrowing clam in the world, some of its physical characteristics support both its daily functions and defense mechanisms.
Its long, leathery neck can extend to be as long as a bat or contract to a wrinkled nub. The neck, among other things, looks like the snout of an aardvark, the trunk of an elephant, or the emergence of a monstrous prehistoric earthworm from a fist-sized shell.
The geoduck has a much smaller shell (typically 6 to 8 inches) than the giant clam, which can grow to be over three feet long. Despite some being up to 14 pounds, the average weight is around seven pounds.
What Are the Facts of Geoduck?
- The longest-lived geoduck ever was 168 years old.
- There is evidence that gangsters traded geoduck for drugs due to their high value.
- The clams are about the size of a dime during their first year of life.
- The Chinese call the geoduck the “elephant trunk clam”.
- SCUBA divers utilize high-pressure water to “dig” out the geoduck.
In general, geoducks are fascinating animals that are becoming more well-known despite the fact that they are thought to be misunderstood. Geoduck is served in restaurants all over the globe, and people can order them to cook at home or even consume uncooked.
What Are the Predators of the Geoduck?
The predators of the geoduck include:
- Crab
- Moon snails
- Sea stars
- Flat fishes
- Cabezon
- Spiny dogfish
- Starry flounder
- Sea otters
The siphons of juveniles are at risk because they are particularly vulnerable to predators.
What Does It Taste Like?
Meat from geoduck is flavorful and sweet. Geoduck is a seasonal dish that Seattle-based chef Ethan Stowell serves at Goldfinch and How to Cook a Wolf. “It’s definitely unique to the Northwest, and I think we should be proud of it,” Stowell says. “It’s a raw clam, and it’s as sweet as anything from the sea can be.”
The geoducks can also be distinguished from other mollusks by their delicate, crunchy texture. “When it’s raw, it has that crunchy clam quality that I think is very unique to the geoduck,” Master Jiu’s owner and chef Brandon Jew is from San Francisco. “Due to the denseness of the trunk, a certain type of snap is produced when it is cut very thinly on the bias.”
These wrinkled creatures are also revered as aphrodisiacs, especially in China, if the texture and flavor aren’t pleasing enough. There aren’t many scientific explanations for these unusual characteristics.
How Geoduck Survival and Defenses?
The way the geoduck uses its body to eat and defend itself is one of the things that makes it so fascinating.
Their long, double-barreled necks are referred to as siphons. Geoducks are classified as filter-feeders and obtain their nutrients from the microscopic organisms called phytoplankton, which they consume using their siphon. They force water through one side of the siphon while drawing phytoplankton down the other.
Geoducks are relatively sedentary and use their tiny feet to dig into the mud or ocean floor. They can simply retract their siphon when a predator approaches, just like a turtle does with its head, rather than running away and hiding (Smithsonian).
After digging themselves a hole in the ground, Geoducks remain there for the rest of their lives without moving. As of right now, no footage of this process exists. However, a very similar clam demonstrates how that process works by digging itself into the ground. Similar to how young geoducks will dig themselves into their final home, the video shows a razor clam from the Pacific Northwest.
What is Geoduck Industry and Popularity?
At least 50 million dollars are made from trading geoduck, with most of the orders going to Asia. There is hope that the market will recover from the coronavirus, despite the fact that China and Japan are the two main importers of geoduck. Commercial fishermen and women in Washington have suffered tremendous losses in the past year, mostly as a result of tariffs and a decline in sales.
In British Columbia—
More than 90% of the geoducks caught in British Columbia. are exported and sold Due to its alleged aphrodisiac qualities, there is a huge demand in Chinese markets. Prior to the pandemic, the price ranged from $20 to $30 per pound; it has since dropped by 30%.
Fishermen and women, along with business owners, are eager to return as soon as the virus dissipates and the tariffs are lifted.
Why Does Everyone Freak Out About Them?
A geoduck has a bizarre appearance that is somewhere between a bottom-feeding dinosaur and Jabba the Hutt’s young grandchild. The size of a shell can be comparable to a football, and siphons can reach lengths of up to three feet. Geoducks are among the world’s longest-living creatures, with lifespans that can reach 150 years, which only adds to their allure.
How is Geoduck Prepared?
A geoduck must be thoroughly cleaned before cooking. “They’re actually very easy to clean,” chef Brandon Jew says. “Basically, you pull off the outer membrane after a brief blanch. From there, you can pretty much slice it and serve it.”
The Pacific Northwest and occasionally the West Coast are where the behemoth clam is most commonly consumed in the United States. Chef John Sundstrom of Seattle serves geoduck raw or ceviche-style. Additionally, it is made into chowder, Crudo, sushi, and even pie. Geoduck is recommended to be used in a fresh, minty salad by Taylor Shellfish, the largest shellfish operation in the Pacific Northwest.
How Are Geoducks Harvested?
Harvesting geoduck is an intense process. Workers wade into the chilly, murky waters of the Pacific Ocean only to wrestle with stout mollusks that were reluctant to leave their homes. Many geoduck farmers, according to Modern Farmer, harvest geoducks using high-pressure water hoses. A geoduck can be ejected from its stronghold by a water blast into the sandy substrate it lives in. The harvester now inserts their arm into the gap they’ve made and pulls the enormous clam out. In Washington, geoduck hunting is sort of a recreational activity where people go in search of clams in the wild using garden shovels and plastic digging tubes.
Geoduck harvests represent an $80 million a year industry for Washington state and the Province of British Columbia, The Rewards of Scuba Hunting notes. More than 90% of the U.S. clam harvest is exported, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds. industry harvest — Each year, it is celebrated as a delicacy, specialty good, an aphrodisiac in Southeast Asia (China, Korea, and Japan).
Scientists from the University of Washington have noted that geoduck aquaculture is contentious and that the industry’s growth using current methods is unsustainable. Geoduck farms utilize the state’s natural coastlines, and baby geoducks are “planted” inside protective PVC pipes that encroach on the coastline and disturb its ecosystems. High-pressure jet harvesting damages a shoreline and an increasingly delicate ecology by shattering the natural substrate. The industry is looking into off-the-ground or contained system farming methods as part of its efforts to become more sustainable.
What is Inside Geoduck?
A big clam with easy anatomy is called a geoduck. There are two major parts to remember: the siphon or neck, which hangs out of the shell, and the mantle, the meaty part that sits inside the shell.
Do People Eat Live Geoducks?
People who harvest geoduck have been especially hard hit by the ban. These giant long-necked clams can live more than 150 years and are a delicacy in China‚ but in America, not so much.
Can Geoducks Feel Pain?
Yes. Fish, lobsters, crabs, and other sea creatures all exhibit pain, as scientific research has conclusively shown.
Conclusion
When someone sees a photo of a geoduck, it’s common for them to be amazed or even perplexed. The geoduck is an intriguing creature with neat skills and peculiar but effective behaviors. The species is quite entertaining to look at and might make some people laugh.
While its physical features may be disturbing to some is an interesting species that more people should know about. This clam may not resemble an oyster or a scallop, but they are all from the same mollusk family. In fact, geoduck is a delicacy in many nations and is quite expensive.