Cockles

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About Cockles
Cockels represent a family of bivalve mollusks, scientifically known as the Cardiidae family, and the family of cockles is member of the Cardiacea superfamily of the Veneroida order. The cockles have round-shaped shells which appear to be quite fragile. The bivalve shell is symmetrical and it has the form of a heart and it presents powerfully marked ribs. The layer has three openings: two for breathing (inhaling and exhaling) and one for moving. The first two holes are for siphoning water and the third for the foot to stick out. Cockles usually move by using the foot and feed by draw off or drawing in water, filtering plankton from it. They are as well able to leap by bending and straightening the foot. Different from most bivalves, cockles are hermaphroditic meaning that they are primarily men becoming afterwards females. They also have the ability of reproducing quite fast. There are numerous species of cockles such as Queen Cockles, prickly cockles and common cockles. Cockles are an important source of food for numerous birds. Cockles feed generally on algae and other aquatic plants.