Field Guide

Explore the Field Guide to learn about more than 350 species of birds, fish, insects, algae, invertebrates, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians that live in the Chesapeake Bay region.

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Showing: 10 of 22

Arks

Family: Arcidae

Arks are boxy bivalves with thick, white, ribbed shells. They live in the salty waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Atlantic Oyster Drill

Urosalpinx cinerea

The Atlantic oyster drill is a small, predatory snail with a pointed, ribbed shell. It lives on reefs, rocks and pilings throughout the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Atlantic Ribbed Mussel

Geukensia demissa

The Atlantic ribbed mussel is a bivalve with dark, ribbed shells. It is found in low marshes and mud flats throughout the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Bay Scallop

Argopecten irradians

The bay scallop is a bivalve that lives in the lower Chesapeake Bay’s salty, shallow waters. Its ribbed, multicolored shells are often found on beaches throughout the lower Bay.

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Invertebrates

Brief Squid

Lolliguncula brevis

The brief squid is a small, free-swimming mollusk with a soft body and arm-like tentacles. It lives throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Brook Floater

Alasmidonta varicosa

The brook floater is a freshwater mussel that can be found throughout the Chesapeake watershed.

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A mussel rests among algae-covered rocks, its soft filtering tissues visible in a partly open shell.
Invertebrates

Eastern Elliptio

Elliptio complanata

The eastern elliptio is a freshwater mussel that can be found throughout the Chesapeake watershed.

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Invertebrates

Eastern Floater

Pyganodon cataracta

The eastern floater is a native freshwater mussel that is stable throughout much of its range.

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A hand holds a small freshwater mussel.
Invertebrates

Eastern Oyster

Crassostrea virginica

Also known as the American or Virginia oyster, the eastern oyster is a bivalve with two rough, whitish shells. It forms reefs in brackish and salty waters throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Eastern Pondmussel

Ligumia nasuta

The eastern pondmussel is a native mussel species that wildlife managers are attempting to restore in the Chesapeake Bay’s freshwater rivers and streams.

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An eastern pondmussel is half submerged in water in between rocks and mud.
Invertebrates