Scientific Name:
Mytilus californianus
Description
Blue-black in color with a hard, oval shell that anchors itself in clusters to rocks. A favorite food of the ochre sea star and southern sea otter, who pound open the shells to eat the tasty, soft meat inside.
Behaviors
A filter-feeder, it sucks sea water into its body to catch food like plankton in its filters before squirting it out again.
Fun Facts
California mussels are so good at filter-feeding that they can actually filter 2–3 liters (more than a large soda bottle) of sea water per hour.
Nature Topics
Photo credit: ©Kip Evans
