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Cockle

Clinocardium nuttallii

Cockle

Clinocardium nuttallii
Other Common Names
Nuttall’s Cockle Clam, Heart Cockle, Basket Cockle
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast
Other Common Names
Nuttall’s Cockle Clam, Heart Cockle, Basket Cockle

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

The ribbed shells are usually a light tan with some mottled brown and/or yellow coloring and when viewed from the side, resemble a heart. The shell is thick and is higher than it is long, with ~35 radial ribs. The mantle margin has tiny tentacles with tiny eyes. The siphons are short and appear white with white hairs on the tips. The incurrent siphon is larger than the excurrent siphon and also has small white globules inside its rim.

Habitat

Inhabit sand or muddy sand, from the surface to 6 inches deep beneath the sediment, in the intertidal to shallow subtidal zone.

Diet

Filter-feeder on plankton

Life History

A cockle clam can produce both eggs and sperm at the same time. In Oregon, spawning occurs from June through October. The length of the planktonic larval stage is unknown, but after it will undergo metamorphosis and settle to the substrate as a juvenile.

These clams can reach a maximum length of 5 inches and live up to 14 years.

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Heart cockles are eaten by a variety of predators including sunflower stars, giant pink sea stars, Dungeness crabs, and gulls.
Range
Western Pacific. In eastern Pacific: Alaska to California
On the Oregon Coast
You can encounter cockles when clamming (permit required) in Oregon bays during low tide.
Fun Facts
These clams are mobile and can walk along the surface using their foot. If a sunflower star touches a cockle, it will rapidly extend its food and jump away.

Small pea crabs may live in the cockle’s mantle. The pea crab will scrape some of the crab’s feeding mucus, causing it slight damage.

Citations & Other Resources

Back to All Animals

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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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