What Are Mussels Prey Of?

Asian Shore Crab

• Along the mid-Atlantic coast of United States, the invasive Asian Shore crab preys on the native blue mussels of the region. These crabs use their sharp claws to break open the shells of the mussels. Researchers from the University of New Hampshire found that the mussels developed thicker shells to protect themselves from the crabs.

Freshwater Threats

• River otters, muskrats, raccoons and skunks fish freshwater mussels from the bottom of rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Diving ducks prey on freshwater mussels in lakes and reservoirs. Mussels in these areas, such as the zebra mussel, are invasive species and lack few other natural predators in the protected environment of the lakes and reservoirs where they live.

Starfish

• In the ocean, a starfish will grip a mussel with its arms and pry open the shell. To eat a mussel, the starfish must turn its stomach inside-out and insert it into the ajar mussel shell. While the mussel is still alive, the starfish secretes a digestive enzyme from its turned out stomach into the mussel. This breaks down the flesh of the mussel outside of the starfish rather than inside its stomach. The starfish's inside-out stomach absorbs the digested mussel and returns to its proper position inside the starfish.

People

• Mussels are edible and appear in many seafood recipes. Both freshwater and seawater varieties can be eaten, but cultivated sea mussels have been specially bred for improved flavor and texture over their natural, freshwater counterparts. Farm-raised mussels are safer for people to eat since the diet of these creatures is controlled. Wild mussels filter the water to separate out their food, and any toxins in the water are absorbed by the mussel. These toxins can cause illness in humans if consumed in large quantities.

Carnivorous Whelks

• Whelks are shellfish like mussels, but whelks only have one shell instead of two. Whelks digest mussels inside the mussel's shell. To access the mussel meat, a whelk attaches to a mussel and files away at the shell with its radula. After several days, the mussel's shell is penetrated and the whelk slips a tube called a proboscis into the opening. This organ injects digestive fluids into the living mussel. After the mussel's flesh is broken down, the whelk uses the proboscis as a straw to suck the digested mussel from the shell.