Editor's note:
Wild boar is going down the mountain! "Monkey Paper" has arrived at my balcony! News of wildlife entering the city frequently appeared on social media. In fact, we live around us with many native wild animals, who are neighbors, but we rarely know them. Only by understanding, being friendly and accompanying can all things be harmonious and cultivated to achieve success. Xinhua Daily·Jianghuidian, in conjunction with Jiangsu Wildlife Protection Station, Jiangsu Forestry Science Research Institute, Nanjing Institute of Fisheries Science, Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo, , etc., launched the "Eye of the Secret Realm·Friends of Humanity" calendar column, which will take you to pay attention to both familiar and mysterious "animal neighbors" through the perspectives of infrared camera , animal observers, etc. Biodiversity is the basis and vitality of human homes. Every solar term day, we will also invite solar term officials to conduct special recommendations and broadcasts on that day. Today, let’s get to know river clam (xiǎn).
About one coin size
River clams have common names such as yellow clams, snails , sarla, and stins. They are shaped like clams, but they are much smaller than clams, with a total length of about 3 cm. Individuals usually only have one coin size.
Their shell surfaces are brown-yellow, yellow-green, black-brown or paint-black. The color of the shell surface is related to the habitat environment and age, and is slightly shiny, with concentric growth veins like the annual rings of a large tree. The inner surface of their shells is white or cyan purple, which is relatively smooth.
River clams have short ligaments that will extend out of the shell in the water. They have developed twisted parts. Once they encounter external intrusion or perceive danger, they will retract their ligaments, close the twisted parts, and hide back into the hard shell.
Fast growth and strong reproduction
River clams live in rivers, lakes, ditches and ponds. They mostly choose to live in the mud and sand bottom where water flows meet, and cave to the surface of the soil at the bottom. They make a living by feeding on plankton that has been filtered through gills, such as diatom , green algae , eyeworm , rotifer , etc., which is a passive feeding method.
They are widely distributed in the inland waters of our country and have abundant species. River clams can reach sexual maturity in three months and can reproduce all year round. The peak reproduction period is from May to June. They grow fast and have strong reproductive power, and their artificial breeding output in the lake area is high.
is suitable for medicine and vegetables
River clam meat is delicious, rich in nutrition, good in color, fragrance and taste. It is a very common edible bivalve. In addition to fresh food, river clams can also be processed into dried clams, canned, frozen clam meat , etc.
In addition, they also have the function of taking medicine. "Relieve phlegm and stop vomiting, treat soreness and heartache and cough. Burn ashes, cure all damp sores, and work with clam powder." Li Shizhen introduces the medicinal functions of river clams in "Compendium of Materia Medica".
The shells of river clams that have been cultivated for 3 years and more can also be used to make handicrafts. River clams can also be raised as ornamental shellfish and can become "filters" in aquariums. They will eat single-celled plants and microorganisms in the water and play a role in purifying water quality.
Editor: Liu Chun
Beauty editor: Yang Xiaolong
Picture: Nanjing Porpoise Aquatic Biology Conservation Association
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