Robustum vanhyningi
A subspecies of the Giant Atlantic Cockle, its shell is more elongate, slanted and more brightly colored than the Giant Cockle. Grows up to 5 inches. This shell is named after Thompson Van Hyning, who was the first direct of the Florida Museum, starting in 1914 until 1941.
These bivalves have a strong narrow foot with which they can “jump” by bending and then quickly straightening it. It is also used to bury itself just below the sea floor.
They feed on plankton by drawing in seawater through their short siphons. They exhibit gonochorism (the sex varies according to surrounding conditions). Cockles’ predators are shore birds, fish, sea stars and humans.
Live shells should never be taken from any Florida State Park.