Scientific name:

Ensis arcuatus

About:

A long, narrow, straight, rectangular clam shell that grows up to 20cm long. Razor Shells live buried upright in soft sand around the low tide mark and beyond, with their mouths just at the surface, filter feeding on plankton and detritus. After storms they are sometimes washed up in enormous ‘wrecks’. They are brownish in colour, with pale worn patches near the hinge.

How to identify:

<p>There are several very similar species of razor shell, although as a group they are unmistakeable.</p>

Where:

Found all round our shores.

Fantastic facts:

Named because they resemble the old-fashioned ‘cut-throat’ razors that barbers still use.