Are there any freshwater mussel exhibits in American zoos?

DavidBrown

DavidBrown

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Freshwater mussels in North American rivers and streams are highly endangered. They have an important ecological role in helping filter detritus out of water and tell an important ecological story.

Are there any exhibits for endangered freshwater mussels in North American zoos or aquariums?
 
I believe there's some in various small coastal aquariums. In larger places, Cabrillo has an exhibit for California mussels. Shedd might have one, they do a lot of research on local species.
 
TinoPup said:
I believe there's some in various small coastal aquariums. In larger places, Cabrillo has an exhibit for California mussels. Shedd might have one, they do a lot of research on local species.
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The title of the tread says freshwater mussels. Shedd doesn't have any, but Minnesota Zoo does. They exhibit Mucket, Fatmucket, and Higgin's Pearly-Eye.
 
The NC museum of Natural Sciences has a tank for them (NC has dozens of species, 2nd most in the US after Alabama I believe). They also have one of the largest collections of freshwater mussels in the world.

As well the Greensboro Science Center breeds the Eastern Creekshell mussel. They have a tank for them on public display in the aquariums quarantine/separation room which can be viewed next to the shark tank.
 
Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX, has some in the reptile/aquatics building about half-way through the Brazos River exhibit.
 
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