Bivalves

Razor shell

Credit. Tom Hibbert

Bivalves

Hinged Shells

Bivalves are molluscs, they are soft-bodied invertebrates that have a two-part hinged shell. They are filter feeders and have gills for feeding and breathing. 

Most bivalves live buried in the sediment where they are safe from predation but others lie on the sea floor or can be found attached to rocks or other hard surfaces.

Some bivalves can even swim!

Mussel bed

A bed of common mussels (Mytilus edulis) growing on rocks - Alexander Mustard/2020VISION