Jingle Shell
Scientific Name: Anomia ephippium
Category: shell
Brief Description
A marine bivalve mollusk known for its thin, translucent, and shiny shells that make a jingling sound when shaken together.
Characteristics
Thin, delicate, translucent shells with a pearly or iridescent luster. They often appear in shades of yellow, silver, or copper. One valve usually has a small hole or notch near the hinge for the byssus attachment.
Habitat
Found in shallow coastal waters, attached to rocks, other shells, or submerged structures using a calcified byssus.
When to Find It
Can be found washed up on beaches year-round, especially after storms or high tides.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Filter feeders that help maintain water clarity by consuming plankton and organic particles. They also provide surfaces for other small marine organisms to settle on.
Easily Confused With
Often confused with the Saddle Oyster or juvenile scallops. Distinguishable by its extreme translucency and the presence of a byssal hole in the lower valve.
Observation Tips
Look for them in the wrack line of beaches or on rocky shores at low tide. Handle gently as they are quite fragile and can easily crack.
Interesting Facts
They are nicknamed 'Mermaid's Toenails' due to their shape and translucent appearance. The jingling sound they make when multiple shells are held together inspired their common name.