Naturally Bexar

Show Your Mussels!

What's A Mussel?

What's a mussel? No, we're not talking about what happens when you raise your arm to show how strong you are! That's a m-u-s-c-l-e.

A m-u-s-s-e-l is a soft-bodied animal that lives underwater in a hard shell.

Why are mussels important?

Mussels are good indicator species. That means they tell us if our streams are healthy. They are natural water purifiers, filtering water as they feed. They also provide food for other animals.

Are mussels in trouble?

Yes! Some scientists believe 70% of American mussels are extinct, endangered or in need of special protection. Humans have changed the way many rivers and streams flow, added contaminants to some waterways and introduced harmful exotic species. All these things hurt native mussels. Talk about a muscle ache!

What do mussels eat?

Mussels are filter feeders. Anchored in the soft mud of creek bottoms, they sipon water into their shells, filtering food like plankton and taking in oxygen.

How do they make more mussels?

Boy is it complicated! Larvae, or baby mussels are called glochidia, and they are released into the water by females. The glochidia attach themselves to a certain kind of fish for awhile, growing stronger. After a few weeks or months, the juveniles drop to the bottom of the creek and begin to grow to adulthood.

What's a mussel good for?

For starters, they are an important part of the web of life, but beyond that basic fact, Native Americans used mussels for food, tools and jewelry. Until about 50 years ago, most buttons for clothing were made from mussel shells. Now, mussels can be used to make cultured pearls.

What do we know about mussels in Salado Creek?

Not much! Mussel experts have not studied the Salado Creek very much. They believe many native species are already extinct in our creek, but they don't know for sure because nobody has spent much time looking. If you learn a little about what to look for, you might find a species that's never been recorded in this stream before!

What Did You Learn

Have you stretched your brain muscle learning about the mussels of Salado Creek? Let's see!

Pick the best answer. No peeking!

1. A mussel is

O what makes you strong.

O a soft-bodied animal that lives underwater in a hard shell.

O a fish.

O a mammal.

2. The word extinct means

O stinky.

O headless.

O no longer living.

O native.

3. Mussel larvae (babies) are called

O glochidia.

O filters.

O contaminants.

O exotic.

4. Mussels are in trouble because humans have

O changed stream flows.

O added conaminants to waterways.

O introduced harmful exotic species.

O all of the above.

5. Native Americans used mussels for

O food.

O tools.

O jewelry.

O all of the above.

Answers

1. A mussel is a soft-bodied animal that lives underwater in a hard shell.

2. Extinct means no longer living.

3. Mussel larvae are called glochidia.

4. Mussels are in trouble because humans have changed stream flows, added contaminants to waterways and introduced harmful exotic species.

5. Native Americans used mussels for food, tools and jewelry.

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