The Geoduck: The World's Longest-Living Burrowing Clam
The geoduck (Panopea generosa), pronounced 'gooey-duck,' is a massive saltwater clam native to the Pacific Northwest that can live for over 160 years, making it one of the longest-lived animals on Earth. This bizarre mollusk can weigh up to 8 pounds and extend its siphon—a trunk-like appendage used for filter-feeding—up to three feet beyond its shell, which is far too small to ever fully contain its body. Buried three feet deep in ocean sediment, geoducks filter an astounding 40 gallons of seawater daily through their permanently exposed siphons, which they cannot retract due to their enormous size. Despite their ancient lifespans and grotesque appearance, geoducks are considered a delicacy, particularly in Asian cuisine, where a single specimen can sell for over $100.