#argopecten

📍 Location: Nags Head, North Carolina 🗓 Date: May 24, 2025 🐾 Media: Image 🌿 Species: Atlantic Calico Scallop (Argopecten gibbus) 📝 Notes: Small marine bivalve found in sandy or shelly substrates in shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic. Shell is fan-shaped with radiating ribs and variable coloration, often showing mottled patterns of orange, red, purple, and white.

Unlike many bivalves, scallops are capable of limited swimming by rapidly clapping their shells together to create jet propulsion, allowing short bursts of movement when disturbed.