Pacific Razor Clam (also known as the Razor Clam)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Adapedonta, Family: Pharidae, Genus: Siliqua, Species: Siliqua patula · Pharidae (Razor clam family) · Bivalve (two-shelled clam), whole shell, elongated and oblong or pod-shaped
Species
Siliqua patula
Shell Type
Bivalve (two-shelled clam), whole shell, elongated and oblong or pod-shaped
Family
Pharidae (Razor clam family)
Size
Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length, which is average for an adult specimen of this species. Adults typically range from 3 to 6 inches.
Color & Pattern
The exterior surface is whitish to light cream, showing some sun-bleaching. The original periostracum, which is typically a shiny, olive-green to brownish coating, has been weathered away. The interior is white and glossy with a prominent internal rib running obliquely.
Rarity
Common
Habitat
Found buried vertically in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of exposed sandy ocean beaches, particularly in high-energy surf environments.
Geographic Range
Pacific coast of North America, ranging from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, down to Pismo Beach, California.
Description
An elongated, extremely compressed bivalve shell with smooth, fragile, and glossy valves. The anterior end is broadly rounded while the posterior is somewhat truncated. It features fine concentric growth lines and lacks prominent sculptural ribs, giving it a sleek, streamlined pod-like appearance designed for rapid burrowing in shifting sands.
Key Features
Elongated, rectangular-oval outline; fragile, compressed valves; presence of a strong internal oblique rib running from the beak toward the ventral margin; glossy white interior.
Collector Value
Low to moderate commercial value, highly popular among local beachcombers and seafood gatherers, but generally too common for high-end shell collectors unless in pristine, live-taken condition with periostracum intact.
Condition Notes
Good condition overall. The single valve is intact with a complete margin, though it is sun-bleached with loss of the organic periostracum. No major chips or structural fractures are visible.
Interesting Facts
Pacific Razor Clams are exceptionally fast burrowers, capable of digging themselves several inches down into the wet sand in seconds when disturbed. They are also a commercially and recreationally important food source along the West Coast.
Ecological Role
Serves as an important prey item for shorebirds, fish, and sea otters. They filter feed on microscopic phytoplankton from the surrounding water column, playing a role in nearshore nutrient cycling.
Similar Species
Ensis directus (Atlantic Jackknife Clam), which is straighter, more cylindrical, and found on the Atlantic coast.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along high-energy Pacific sandy beaches at extremely low tides. Search for small 'keyhole' or dimple depressions in the wet sand, which indicate the presence of a clam below.