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How to Identify Oyster Shells

Although you may not be able to tell at first, there are subtle differences that separate oysters, clams and mussels. While they all belong to the mollusk family, you usually can separate the oyster from the other mollusks by carefully examining the shell and the location where you found the shell. If you find a live mollusk, it is even easier to determine whether it is an oyster or one of its close relatives. All mollusks have beautiful and interesting shells, though.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the location where you found the shell. If the shell was sitting out in the sand, detached from any other marine body or rock, it is likely an oyster. Oysters like to float freely, whereas their mollusk relatives such as clams typically attach to rocks.
- 2
  Run your fingers across the surface of the shell. If it has a very coarse outer shell, it is most likely an oyster. The edges should have small, rough edges as well, instead of being smooth lines.
- 3
  Visit a marine research center if there is one near the beach. Bring the shell with you, and the researchers there should be able to identify it. You may learn more about the mollusk family while you spend time at the research center.

Sea Shell Collecting