New Zealand Cockle

Austrovenus stutchburyi, commonly known as the New Zealand cockle or New Zealand little neck clam, is a marine bivalve in the family Veneridae that occurs only in New Zealand. Its Māori name is tuangi in the North Island or tuaki in the South Island. The shell is between 15 to 65 mm (0.59 to 2.56 in) in length, but may reach up to 90 mm (3.5 in). The outside is dirty white; the inside is porcelain white and often has purple stains. A. stutchburyi is widespread throughout the coasts of New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands and subantarctic Auckland Islands. It is found in the intertidal-to-low-tide zone in muddy and fine sands. A.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of New Zealand Cockle being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Chione californiensis
• Chione undatella
• Leukoma crassicosta
• Ameghinomya antiqua
• Leukoma jedoensis

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Mollusca

Class

Bivalvia

Order

Venerida

Family

Veneridae

Genus

Austrovenus

Species

Austrovenus stutchburyi

More species