Geoduck ("GOOEY-duck") Traditional Geocache
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(regular)
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This cache is one in a series dedicated to amazing & unusual
organisms. I am astounded by the amazing diversity of plant and
animal life that exists in this world. But the real fascination
lies with those organisms that are amazing, unusual and odd.
These organisms have capabilities that we do not share and can
barely imagine: extraordinary navigational methods, abilities to
regenerate lost limbs, live symbiotically with light-producing
bacteria, reproduce asexually, survive in suspended animation,
change shape and color at will and much more!
Geoduck (Panopea abrupta)
The geoduck (pronounced "gooey duck") is the world's largest
burrowing clam, weighing in at an average of one to three pounds at
maturity, but specimens weighing over 15 pounds and as much as 6 ft
in length are not unheard of. WOW! It is native to the Pacific
Coast of the U.S. and Canada; and has a life expectancy of about
146 years, with the oldest recorded at over 160 years. This makes
the Geoduck one of the longest-living organisms in the Animal
Kingdom. (Wikipedia)
Geoducks are broadcast spawners. A female geoduck produces about 5
billion eggs in her century-long lifespan—in comparison, a human
female produces about 500 viable ova during the course of her life.
Geoducks are harvested in deep waters by professional divers.
Geoducks have been marketed in the United States as "king clam."
Considered a delicacy in Asian countries along the Pacific,
geoducks are also shipped to Taiwan.
Geoduck Diver!
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