Scallops Can Swim Faster Than You Think, Thanks to This Trick

Scallops are a staple in any seafood diet. While we often see them on the table as food, their life in the water isn’t widely known. These fascinating animals have more going on beneath the surface than most people realize. Check out this video by Subsurface Media of a scallop swimming through the ocean. Then keep reading below to learn how they swim!

How Do Scallops Swim?

Scallops are generally considered sedentary organisms, meaning that they do not move around much. However, this very still lifestyle changes when a scallop is disturbed by a predator. This disturbance forces it to swim away and hide. With that said, how are they able to swim? Scallops use a method of movement called jet propulsion. This is the same method that squids and octopuses use to get around. Jet propulsion for scallops involves moving forward by expelling water through the hinges of their shells. As seen in the video above, the scallop claps its shells together by flexing its adductor muscles, drawing in water that is then expelled behind it. These repeated motions allow the scallop to jet through the water!

Scallops’ use of jet propulsion sounds impressive, but there are some downsides. One such downside is the energy required to move. By continuously opening and closing their shells, scallops are only able to move for a few seconds. So, while they can swim at around 3.7 kilometers per hour (about 2.3 mph), they can only travel a short distance before tiring. This short burst of speed is their only real chance to escape the jaws of a predator. Scallops have multiple predators, all capable of opening their shells, such as crabs, lobsters, starfish, and more. This method of escape is useful, as it allows scallops to quickly jet away whenever a predator approaches.