Species · GBIF taxon 5729353
Bear Paw Clam
Hippopus hippopusAlso known as Horse Hoof Clam, Strawberry Clam, Hoof Clam
Bear paw clams are heavy, thick-shelled bivalves characterized by deep, interlocking ribs and distinct reddish-purple bands or spots on their exterior. Unlike many of their giant clam relatives, they do not typically attach to the reef with a strong byssal thread, instead resting loose on sandy patches or rubble in shallow coral reef environments. Their fleshy mantles are usually dull green, yellow, or brown, blending seamlessly with the surrounding seafloor while hosting symbiotic algae that provide them with energy.
MarineReef-DwellingSymbiotic
Licensed referenceFrédéric Ducarme / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Phytoplankton
- Microscopic organic particles
Predators
- Triggerfish
- Octopuses
- Large sea snails
ThreatsOverharvesting for food and the aquarium trade, habitat degradation, and ocean warming
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and seagrass beds
Life span30 to 50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCardiidae
- SpeciesHippopus hippopus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a heavy, triangular shell with deep ribs, red-purple spots, and a mantle that does not extend past the shell edge.
- Support conservation
- Observe without touching, never attempt to lift them from the seabed, and support marine protected areas.
Responsible observation
- Do not touch: Avoid handling or disturbing the clam, as they can close their heavy shells quickly.
- Watch for mantle retraction: Observe the colorful mantle tissue from a distance to avoid triggering their defensive shadow reflex.
- Avoid kicking sand: Keep your fins up when snorkeling nearby to prevent smothering their delicate filtering mechanisms.
Symbiont Todd C. LaJeunesse / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Fluted giant clam #3" by Tim Sheerman-Chase is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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