What Do Tusk Shells Eat

DIET. Tusk shells eat microscopic organisms, especially foraminiferans (fo-re-mi-NIH-fer-ehns), single-celled organisms that have a nucleus. The nucleus is a structure that contains the genetic information. Other species feed on tiny crustaceans, as well as clams and their relatives.

How do tusk shells feed?

They feed using tentacles with an adhesive “pad” at the tip to capture prey. TLittle hairs (cilia) along the tentacles move small food particles back to the mouth. The tentacles retract to bring larger food to the mouth.

What type of feeders are tusk shells?

Scaphopods are selective deposit feeders, sifting through the sediment and picking out particular things to eat.