New Zealand cockle shells
Description
Found in New Zealand harbours and estuaries, New Zealand cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) are a common intertidal mollusc.These cockle shells were found along a beach in Auckland.
The New Zealand cockle belongs to the Veneridae family, which is found in many countries around the world. Species within Veneridae are more commonly known as Venus clams.
Teaching connection
Clams and cockles are examples of invertebrate animals. Specimens like this cockle shell model are studied by students in 199.211 Invertebrate Zoology at Massey University.