Bivalves

Bivalves include oysters scallops, clams, and mussels. They are in the phylum Mollusca and the class Bivalvia. Characteristics of bivalves:

• live in salt and fresh water
• two hinged valves (shells) protect the animal
• not very mobile; often fixed in one place (sessile)
• filter feeders: open valves and filter water to catch tiny creatures