New Zealand Seashore

DSC_5240 Geoduck (Panopea zelandica) detail of joined siphon tubes extending from the sand. A large bivalve living 20-40cm deep in sand well below low tide, and far enough beyond the breaking waves to avoid dislodgement. Once dislodged, geoduck are helpless and cannot reburrow, unlike most other bivalves. They do not need to close their shells completely. Golden Bay, North West Nelson

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DSC_5240 Geoduck (Panopea zelandica) detail of joined siphon tubes extending from the sand. A large bivalve living 20-40cm deep in sand well below low tide, and far enough beyond the breaking waves to avoid dislodgement. Once dislodged, geoduck are helpless and cannot reburrow, unlike most other bivalves. They do not need to close their shells completely. Golden Bay, North West Nelson

DSC 5240 Geoduck Panopea zelandica detail siphon tubes extending sand bivalve gweduc gooeyduck Golden Bay North West Nelson