Silver-lip pearl oyster

Mollusca – Bivalvia

Distribution: 

(Porpita porpita)  

Silver-lip pearl oysters are the largest of the world’s 30 species of pearl oyster and can grow up to 30 cm across. They are bivalves, meaning they have two shells which come together at a hinge. Usually you will find the shells separately washed up on shore. They are filter feeders, so live in areas with a high water flow, to increase the amount of food particles they can filter from the water through their gills.

 

Did you know?

A pearl is made when a grain of sand finds its way in between the two shells. In order to expel this foreign material the pearl oyster deposits layers of liquid ‘nacre’ on it, which becomes the pearl.