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Across beaches globally, countless living beings lie hidden just below the sand's surface. While many are too tiny or buried too deep to be noticed by visitors, some reveal themselves in truly remarkable ways.
Coquina clams, found on numerous tropical and temperate beaches worldwide, gather in tightly-packed clusters where the sand meets the ocean. Thriving in surf zones where few creatures can survive, these resilient clams bury themselves in the wet sand. When they periodically surface to feed, they do so in perfect harmony, creating a mesmerizing and slightly eerie display.
Beach enthusiast and YouTube user paul-E recently captured the stunning phenomenon of coquina clams emerging as if by magic to feed. In the brief clip, a barren stretch of sand suddenly becomes a bustling feeding site for these tiny clams. They allow the tide to wash over them, filtering microscopic plankton from the water.
“At first, I assumed they were lifeless, but then a full wave cycle revealed the coquina clams’ intense feeding activity,” paul-E explains. “This synchronized ritual occurred with every major tidal wave, roughly once a minute, as thousands upon thousands of coquina clams along miles of beach moved in perfect harmony with nature’s rhythm.” Watch the incredible footage above.
Image Credit: paul-E, YouTube
