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Chesapeake Bay Critters
Mother of Pearls
- Support for the Chesapeake population of this critter comes from the Great Lakes.
- In cool weather I can live out of water for a long period of time.
- I can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.
- I am a most valuable resource to the bay.
- I can't survive in soft, silty, sediments, or shifting sands.
- Major colonies of this critter are well known throughout the bay.
- I can't survive in fresh water.
- I live in water depths of between 8 and 25 feet.
- I don't prefer freezing water.
- I produce pearls
Who Am I?