In looking back through some old photographs while preparing a presentation to the local aquarium club, I happened across this images of yours truly and figured we’d have a little fun with this week’s Picture of the Week. The photo was taken at the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii and the huge clam pictured is a Tridacna gigas. This species of clam is the largest in the world, growing to a length exceeding four feet in some cases and weighing several hundred pounds. Besides the few empty shells on display, the aquarium has several living specimen in their tanks. To give you a sense of scale, I’ve got my melon in the folds of the clam’s shell and there’s plenty of wiggle room. In fact, the image is somewhat misleading as the interior of the shell is quite roomy since both halves of the clam expand outwards a good deal.
