Painter's Mussel
Unio pictorum
Painter's mussels live on the beds of slow rivers, canals, lakes, and ponds, partly buried in sand or mud. They filter tiny food particles from the water with their gills and move slowly with a muscular foot. When threatened, they close their two shell valves tightly, relying on armor rather than speed. Their smooth pale shells were historically used by painters as small dishes for mixing pigments.
- Type
- Shell / Water
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
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- Painter's Mussel