Sand mussels are very common on the Danish coasts and live buried about 15 – 30 cm down in the sandy bottom on shallow water and out to approx. 60 meters depth. The mussel has an oval shape and can be up to 15 cm long. If you find coherent shells, it is characteristic that they do not get together at the rear, where there is room for the large mussel’s breathing can protrude from the shells. Moreover, the two shells are not symmetrical, one is larger than the other and with a distinct band group in the hinge. The sand mussel lives on phytoplankton as it filters. It draws water and plankton through one half of the breathing pipe and exits it through the other half.
Did you know that:
The sand mussel has come to Denmark and Europe from North America with the Vikings.
