Lion's Paw Scallop
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Pectinida, Family: Pectinidae, Genus: Nodipecten, Species: Nodipecten nodosus · Pectinidae (Scallop family) · Bivalve (Fan-shaped single valve); specifically the upper (left) valve fragment.
Species
Nodipecten nodosus
Shell Type
Bivalve (Fan-shaped single valve); specifically the upper (left) valve fragment.
Family
Pectinidae (Scallop family)
Size
Approximately 1.5 to 2 inches. This is a juvenile or smaller specimen, as adults can reach 6 inches.
Color & Pattern
Mottled orange, brick red, and brownish hues over a cream-to-gray base. The ribs show distinct reddish pigmentation while the raised nodes are paler due to beach wear.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare for beachcombers in North Carolina. While the species exists offshore, finding intact specimens on the beach is difficult due to their weight and depth.
Habitat
Typically found on sandy or rocky bottoms, often associated with coral reefs or ledges at depths of 30 to 150 feet. Juveniles often attach to hard substrates using a byssus.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, from North Carolina southward through the Caribbean to Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico.
Description
A heavy, robust bivalve known for its thick shell and characteristic 'knuckle-like' knobs (nodes) along the primary radial ribs. This specimen is a beautifully weathered fragment that illustrates the species' namesake resemblance to a lion's paw.
Key Features
Heavy shell thickness, 7 to 9 large primary radial ribs, and the presence of prominent hollow or solid nodes along the ribs.
Collector Value
Highly desirable. Small beach-found fragments are common finds for enthusiasts, but large, 'gem-quality' paired valves can sell for $50–$150 depending on color intensity (purple and bright orange are most prized).
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The shell is beach-worn with rounded edges and some loss of detail on the nodes. It appears to be a single valve rather than a paired set. The color remains vibrant despite erosion.
Interesting Facts
The Lion's Paw is the largest and heaviest scallop in the Western Atlantic. Unlike the swimming 'Bay Scallop,' adults are heavy and tend to stay sedentary on the ocean floor.
Ecological Role
A suspension feeder that filters plankton from the water column. They serve as a substrate for other organisms like bryozoans and sponges. They are not currently considered endangered but are sensitive to bottom trawling.
Similar Species
Atlantic Giant Cockle (Dinocardium robustum) which lacks nodes, and the Knobby Scallop (Caribachlamys sentis) which is smaller and more fragile.
Beach Finding Tips
In Holden Beach, NC, look after heavy winter storms or hurricanes which can push these deeper-water shells over the offshore bars and onto the strand line.
Notes
Holden Beach, NC