Common mussel by Rob Spray 1/1

Common Mussel Mytilus edulis

The common mussel is easily recognisable by its large, oval, bluish/black elongated shell. Mussels crowd together on the shore or shallow waters and can be found all year round.

Conservation status

The common mussel is not threatened.

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Mussels are the preferred prey items for many shore predators including starfish, crabs and dog whelks. Dog whelks attack mussels by first drilling through their shells and then devouring the soft bodied animal within. Mussels have developed an interesting counter strategy in response to this feeding behaviour. They send out their byssus threads and immobilise the snail before turning it over. The dog whelk is then unable to feed and it soon starves to death.

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