Giant Clams

Transcript

Visual: Intro animation
Close up of a giant clam in clear shallow waters
Text: Earth is Blue
Meet the Giant Clam
Tridacna maxima
Tridacna squamosa
Tridacna noae

Visual: A snorkeler passes by in the background behind a giant clam

A snorkeler looks at a giant clam from above
Text: Not only are they beautiful to look at - giant clams are socially and ecologically important in American Samoa.

The shells of clams have traditionally been used for tools and ornamentation, and clam meat is a popular food item.

Visual: Close up of a giant clam on the seafloor
Text: Fewer giant clams are being found due to overharvesting, ocean acidification, and rising ocean temperatures.

Like corals, giant clams may expel the colorful algae known as zooxanthellae when stressed by extreme heat.

Visual: Giant clam blending in and hiding in a reef
Text: This process causes them to turn a ghostly white.

Visual: Close up of a giant clam on the seafloor
Text: The giant clam then loses access to the food and energy provided by the algae, sometimes dying as a result.

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is a great place to study the impacts of changing ocean conditions.

Next time you’re snorkeling through coral reefs, keep an eye out for these beautiful creatures.

Visual: Colorful reef on the seafloor with small fish and creatures passing by
Text: Learn more about clams and other creatures of your national marine sanctuaries at sanctuaries.noaa.gov