• Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Bivalvia
  • Order: Veneroida
  • Family: Cardiidae
  • Scientific name: Acanthocardia echinata
  • Norwegian: pigget hjerteskjell

Characteristics:

The 18 to 23 coarse ridges, covered by clearly visible prickles, are characteristic for the prickly cockle. The diameter of the rounded shell can reach 7 cm. The color is usually brown or orange.

Habitat:

It is usually partially buried in gravel or fine sand. It is tolerant for muddy sand, so you may encounter it in the fjords as well as off-shore.

Distribution:

It is registered in the North Sea, from Nordland, Norway to the Mediterranean.