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(''Tridacna maxima'')]]
Clams are shelled marine or freshwater Mollusk s belonging to the class Bivalvia . The term "clam" has no Taxonomic significance in Biology , but is often used to refer to any bivalve (a mollusk whose body is protected by two symmetrical shells) that is not an Oyster , Mussel , or a Scallop , and that has a more-or-less oval shape. An exception is the Razor Clam , which has an elongate shell that suggests an old-fashioned Straight Razor . Clams can live up to 150 years old - or perhaps longer (science suspects that some larger Quahogs found off the East Coast of the US may be 200 years old).

Clams can be hard-shelled or soft-shelled, according to the degree of calcification of their shells, according to species. They are eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked or fried, again (often) according to species. Clam Chowder is a popular soup in the U.S. in which clams figure strongly.


EXAMPLES OF CLAMS