They are definitely not “ducks”, nor do they have any relation to “geo”-logy. In fact, they seem alien enough to be “from Mars” and, for all I know, possess a malign intelligence.

(image credit: Cal Henderson)

The geoduck (pronounced /ˈguːiːdʌk/ “gooey duck”[1]), Panopea abrupta, is a species of large saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk. The shell of this clam is large, about 15 to over 20 cm in length (about 7 to 9 inches), but the tremendously long siphons make the clam itself much longer; the “neck” or siphons alone can be one meter in length.

They are found mostly around Pacific Coast of the US and Canada, but in Japan they’re commonly known as an inspiration for the tentacled “manga” variety. A good info page is definitely in order to get the facts straight, but nothing can prepare you for the shock of seeing them for the first time:

Modern biologists easily classify it as large saltwater clam, a bivalve mollusk with a huge “neck”, or a “siphon”. How huge, you’ll ask? Up to two meters in length.

(original unknown)

Deep Diggers of the Depths

Even their name is wrong, because it’s pronounced “GOOEY duck”. You’d think an epithet “gooey” would seem more appropriate for this bizarre creature, but it’s not gooey in any sense. The name comes from a misspelling of “gweduc” (a native word), which means to “dig deep”. Also, the “Elephant Trunk Clam” monicker fits them quite well.

(image credit: Don Rothaus)

“Their large, meaty siphon are prized by some for its savory flavor and crunchy texture.” It is a delicacy in Asia, each costing $200 - $300, so if you ever considered opening a private geoduck farm…

You’d need to hook up with your buddy to dig them out, especially if you’re going to use the “hold-breath” method:

(image credit: Nannette Stark)

It’s not so easy to spot the protruding siphon, either:

(image credit: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov)

Sometimes they are confused with “piddocks”, which are smaller mollusks:

(image credit: pfly)

But once spotted, they can’t escape you, or dig further down. In fact, the body of an adult geoduck remains in one spot for its entire life. Sea stars would nibble at them, but once they bury themselves almost a meter deep, no predators can get at them - so they end up living REALLY long.

Old and Wise

Treat them with respect. They’ll outlive any of you - they get up to 160 years old . It’s the second longest-living organism on Earth (after giant tortoises, which can live almost 200 years). As they grow, they accumulate rings on their shell, much like a tree does.

(image credit: Emily Martin)

The average adult geoduck that you’ll likely to meet will be the same age as you - 25 to 50 years old, but it hardly has the same experiences as you are, being buried all its life in one spot.

Here is a good-sized geoduck on display in a curiosity shop in Seattle:

(image credit: Joe Mabel)

The average female produces up to 5 billion eggs in her lifetime. Here is a picture of a bunch of geoduck-like mollusks clinging to a log of wood in Ardmore:

(image credit: Paul Watson)

Geoduck is an official mascot for the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington - which also has a (very appropriate) motto: “Let It All Hang Out”

(image credit: Scott Stevens)

If you thought geoducks were weird - Horse Clam, or “Pacific Gaper”, has even more tentacles:

(image via Kafkaesque)

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