About Lunarca ovalis (Bruguière, 1789)
Lunarca ovalis, commonly called the blood ark clam, is a species of clam belonging to the family Arcidae. This species occurs along the Atlantic coast of North America, with its range extending from Massachusetts through the West Indies to Brazil. It lives in habitats from the low-tide line down to a depth of ten feet. The blood ark clam is often recognized for its distinct appearance: up to two-thirds of its shell is covered by a dark brown, fur-like outer layer called periostracum. It is also well known for its red blood, which comes from the presence of hemoglobin. This trait sets it apart from most other mollusks, and is how it earned its common name. Adult blood ark clams typically measure between one and three inches in length.
