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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaCanoeing on the Mississippi River on a sunny day.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Snuffbox
(Epioblasma triquerta) Rafinesque, 1820
Male and Female Snuffbox mussels
K.S. Cummings, Illinois Natural History Survey
Other Common Names:
None.
Habitat:
Medium to large rivers in clear, gravel riffles.
Length:
Up to 2.5 inches (6.4. cm).
Outer Shell Color:
Yellow, green or brown shell with green or dark green rays, blotches,or V-shaped markings (all three markings may be visible). The ray markings are strong along the beak (the point above where the two shell halves meet); however, some may fade out as the rays reach the shell margins.
Inner Shell Color:
Pearly white, one end with iridescent coloring.
Shell Thickness:
Relatively thick, for its size.
Shell Outline:
Entire shell outline is shaped somewhat triangle shaped (imagine a triangle blown up, like a balloon). Both sexes are longer than wide: female looks more rounded; the male more box-like. Posterior ridge sharp. Pronounced ridges on posterior slope and posterior part of disc.
Shell Surface:
Pronounced ridges on posterior slope and posterior part of disc. Female is somewhat swollen or bulged out.
Scientific Description:
Yellow, green or brown shell with interrupted green rays, Blotches, or chevron-shaped markings. Female inflated and elongate; male box-like. Posterior ridge sharp. Pronounced ridges on posterior slope and posterior part of disc.
Similar Looking Mussels:
Host Fish:
Banded Sculpin, Logperch, Blackside Darter
Distribution:
Widespread but rare throughout Midwest.
Minnesota State Listing:
Threatened.
Federal Listing:
None.
Canoeists in the Mississippi River Gorge  

Did You Know?
A canoe trip in the Mississippi River Gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN feels like you are miles away from civilization even though you are in the center of a large metropolitan area.

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Last Updated: September 20, 2006 at 15:34 EST