Clamcurlers

Shell

by Ruby O'Degee

Barnacles stick to Clamcurler covers. They attach to the shell and won’t leave, no matter how much shaking the clam does.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aquatic vets believe the barnacle curlers are cousins to human lice. The curler barnacle benefit to the clam is that the itchy tagalong makes the clam inedible. So, the mere benefit to netters is the clam's lovely Violet pearl.

Genetics and Reproduction

Clamcurlers find it difficult to breed. Their populations remain low, but they do form groups that protect eggs. Clamcurlers hide eggs in the sand close to Fingersnappers. Fingersnappers do not see the minute eggs. Famished Fingersnappers spend their time snapping off fingers that are feeling for wobbly and squishy larvae.

Behaviour

The Clamcurler is content to live at the bottom of the sea off the coast of Lost Words Hamlet until they realize their scarcity. Then they want to be Instagram stars. They will float to the top intentionally; long enough for a photo shot.
This behaviour upsets the Clamcurler counters in Lost Words Hamlet. They count on 200 Violet Pearl bearing clams to sun near photo points. The counters are seasonal Chamber of Commerce employees. When there are no clamcurlers to count, employees clock out.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

During netting season, the Clamcurler sends out a signal to other Clamcurlers about descending nets. The patient Clamcurler rises to the top of the Hamlet river and sits in the sun until sundown. Bombarded with complaints, the Lost Words Chamber of Commerce issue disclaimers every day. They claim all Hamlet clams swim into nets. Columnists disagree. “Clamcurlers don’t voluntarily jump into nets and cough up a pearl.” Clamcurlers die when pirates and ne’er-do-wells extract pearls. Extractors go to jail. Netters go home. They never bag a Violet Pearl Clamcurler.

Scientific Name

Mooseluski

Origin/Ancestry

by ROD w/Midjourney

Conservation Status

The Clamcurler is a Hamlet protected species. Not only is it an emergency source of food, one in ten clamcurlers offer up a Violet Pearl.

by Violet (rod)