Razor shells wash up on shores

The razor shell, or razor clam, is an instantly recognisable find that often litters sandy British beaches after storms. These molluscs are so-called because they look like the old-fashioned razors that barbers sometimes use to shave people. The long, narrow shells are up to 20 centimetres long and split into two with a hinge connecting them. Brownish pink, they have paler worn patches near the hinge and curved lines down their length. The creatures dig vertically into sand using their muscular “foot” and you’ll often find them near the low-tide mark. In Scotland, razor shells are called “spoots” – which is a reference to the jet of water they shoot out when they burrow at low tide. They can live for up to 10 years.…

You're reading a preview of

The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 429

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.