Quck answer
The geoduck is a type of mollusk that has gained notoriety for its phallic appearance and its reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is the largest burrowing clam in the world and can live up to 150 years. The geoduck is harvested for its meat and is a delicacy in many parts of the world. Despite its NSFW reputation, the geoduck plays an important role in the ecosystem as a filter feeder and is also used in scientific research.
Wild Animals
Geoducks, pronounced goo-ee-ducks, are the largest burrowing clams in the world and can live up to 100 years old. Underwater Harvesters Assoc./HowStuffWorks
If you’ve ever come across the word geoduck, you might have thought it was a type of duck that enjoyed maps. But that is far from the truth. In fact, if you pronounced it as gee-oh-duck, you would be wrong too. A water bird with an interest in geography might be called gee-oh-duck, but the correct pronunciation of this saltwater clam is actually “gooey duck.” And, as its name suggests, it is not gooey or a duck.
The geoduck is, in fact, the world’s largest burrowing clam, with an average weight of 2 to 2.5 pounds (0.9 to 1.1 kilograms). Unlike the giant clam, which is almost entirely made up of a shell, the geoduck has a small shell in comparison to its soft body. The word geoduck comes from a Nisqually Tribe word meaning “dig deep.”
Digging Deep
The name is fitting, as these clams bury themselves 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) deep in mud, sand, or gravel at the ocean’s bottom. At just 48 hours old, the tiny baby clams have a foot that they use to dig into the mud. Once they are in, they are in for life. They are found in the northern part of the Pacific Northwest, from Puget Sound along the coast of British Columbia and into Alaska. These clams are often not visible except at very low tides, and natural “beds” exist on many public beaches.
As they grow, the siphon (the neck outside of the shell) and the mantle (the “breast meat” inside the shell) are used like gills and a mouth combined. Siphons and mantles are typical for shellfish, but in the case of the geoduck, they are too large to fit inside the shell. They leave the mantle at the surface of the mud and burrow their shells deep down. Then they just eat, breathe, and hang out for, oh, about a century or so.
Geoducks reach their full size at around 15 years old. The shell seldom grows more than about 8 inches (20 centimeters) wide, but the geoduck’s neck can grow to be over 3 feet (1 meter) long. They often live for more than 100 years, making them so old that scientists count and measure the rings on their shells to assess climate change over the decades. The oldest known geoduck was 168 years old, and the largest, found in Discovery Bay, Washington, weighed over 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).
Digging In
Geoducks have been on the menus of local northwestern Native Americans for hundreds of years. They were typically eaten fresh or smoked. Their harvest continues to this day, with native tribes holding treaty rights to half of the shellfish harvest in Washington state’s Puget Sound.
A young boy proudly displays his first geoduck (giant clam) while the hole from which it was dug can be seen behind him. Some clam diggers are experimenting with geoduck farming.
Aaron McCoy/Getty Images
The harvesting of geoducks is closely monitored and regulated to prevent overfishing. However, these shellfish are popular beyond the Pacific Northwest, and the majority of them are exported to China. A single geoduck clam can fetch up to $60 in Hong Kong, with prices reaching as high as $150. Due to the limited harvest and the high prices, clam theft and shellfish smuggling have become unexpected crimes. Some people are also attempting geoduck farming, which is significantly less likely to result in arrest.
If you enjoy shellfish, geoducks will taste familiar, albeit slightly sweeter and crunchier than most clams. The siphon, which is the edible part of any clam, is abundant in geoducks. To prepare for cooking, remove the siphon from the shell and stomach at the base of the siphon. Remove the skin, then thinly slice and trim the siphon. The most popular method of cooking geoduck is to lightly sautГ© it in a stir-fry to preserve its texture and flavor. It can also be consumed raw, like sushi, as the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest have been doing for generations.
Now That’s Awesome
Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, is renowned for its unique curriculum structure and emphasis on freedom of speech and the exchange of ideas. Therefore, it is fitting that the college has adopted the geoduck as its school mascot. Like the geoduck, Evergreen is “accessible to all who are willing to dig deep.”
Originally Published: Sep 23, 2019
FAQ
1. What is a geoduck and why is it considered NSFW?
A geoduck is a species of large saltwater clam found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is considered NSFW (not safe for work) because of its phallic appearance, which has led to it being used in sexual innuendos and jokes.
2. How long can geoducks live and how big can they grow?
Geoducks are one of the longest-lived animals in the world, with some individuals living over 100 years. They can grow to be quite large, with the largest recorded geoduck weighing over 7 pounds and measuring over 3 feet in length!
3. Are geoducks a popular food item?
Yes, geoducks are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. They are often served raw as sashimi or sushi, or cooked in various dishes such as chowder or stir-fry.
4. Are geoducks endangered or threatened?
No, geoducks are not currently considered endangered or threatened. However, they are subject to strict harvesting regulations to ensure sustainability. Because geoducks can live for so long and take a long time to reach maturity, over-harvesting could have negative impacts on their populations.
5. What is the process for harvesting geoducks?
Geoducks are harvested using a technique called “dive harvesting,” in which divers use water pressure to loosen the clams from the sand and then quickly retrieve them. This process requires specialized equipment and trained personnel, and is heavily regulated to ensure sustainability and safety.
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