Razor clams, or razor shells, have very characteristic long, fragile shells. The shells are smooth on the outside and whitish in colour, vertical and horizontal reddish-brown or purplish-brown markings separated by a diagonal line. There are three other very similar species found in UK waters, but this is the one that is commercially fished in Scotland, where they are hand caught by divers who swim down to the seabed to collect them.

Behaviour

Razor clams are a burrowing species, digging themselves into the sand with a strong muscular ‘foot’. Their presence is indicated by keyhole-shaped openings in the sand, which they make to feed. Razor clams are suspension feeders, feeding on plankton and detritus with their two small siphons.

Size

Up to 13 cm long.

Status

Common.

Distribution

On sandy shores around Scotland, but more prevalent on the west coast and islands.

When to see

All year around.

Facts

In Scotland, they are more commonly referred to as spoots – due to the jet of water they shoot out when burrowing at low tide.