Stout Tagelus (Tagelus plebeius)




SHELL LENGTH: Approximately 3 inches (7.62 cm)

Also called the Tagelus Razor Clam, this bivalve resembles the Atlantic Jackknife but is shorter, wider, and more oval or rectangular in shape. This shell is three times longer than it is wide and grows up to about three inches in length. This bivalve has a strong, muscular foot that is used to burrow rapidly into sandy sediment by extending the foot into the sand and pulling the shell down after it. The small, oval burrow holes with no sand or droppings piled outside can be found on intertidal beaches.