Clams are bivalve mollusks that live in the sea and are filter feeders. They are commonly used as food for humans and some animals. These clams have two valves and a hinge joint that connects the shells. Some bivalve species live in fresh water while others are found in saltwater. Many types of clams are eaten by green crabs, starfish, whelks, horseshoe crabs, and moon snails.

Clams are generally divided into hard-shell and soft-shell varieties. Hard-shell clams have solid shells while soft-shell clams have thin shells. Regardless of the type of clam you purchase, you can adjust the amount of clams you use in your recipe to suit your tastes.

You can purchase clams at your local fish market or from many grocery stores. They taste best when they are freshly dug and harvested, but they can also be canned. Most fresh clams can be found in New England and are available at most clam canneries. If you don’t have access to fresh clams, you can find them in clam canneries around the world.

Clams have a one-year life cycle. Their larvae are stranded in sandy beaches, where they can be eaten by fish or sucked away by ocean currents. Only a small percentage of the larvae will survive and be converted into adult clams.

The easiest way to obtain clams is to visit a coastal town near you. Fresh clams are usually available and you can purchase them at any time of year. However, if you’re planning on cooking them, make sure you wash them thoroughly. Otherwise, they’ll be tough. In addition, you may be consuming marine toxins, which can cause illness or even death.

To prepare your clams, you’ll need a clam gun, which is a tube that is about four to five inches in diameter. It has a plastic or stainless steel blade. When you use the clam gun, the core of the sand and the clam are pulled out. This process is known as “clamming.”

Another option is to buy a clam juice product. These are primarily used as cooking liquid for seafood dishes, but some cooks use it as a substitute for fish stock. A popular clam juice product is a mixture of tomato juice and clam juice. Adding this to soups and cocktails can add a lot of flavor.

Some people prefer to deep-fry their clams. These clams are often served with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce. There are a number of recipes for fried clams. Fried clams can be rolled in flour and egg and then fried in oil. Make sure you fry the clams for a couple minutes, until they are brown.

You can also use clam juice in chowders, stews, and soups. Be sure to keep an eye on the clams, as they can become tough if they are cooked too long.

Many birds, including common crane, whooping crane, Eurasian oystercatcher, roseate spoonbills, and American flamingo, feed on clams. Seagulls, whelks, and green crabs also eat clams.