Can you tell the age of a clam by the thickness of its shell?

Yes, the age of a clam can be estimated by measuring the thickness of its shell. A clam's shell grows in annual increments, and its thickness provides an indication of the clam's age. This method of age determination is commonly used by biologists and researchers to study the population dynamics of clams.

However, it is important to note that the thickness of a clam's shell is influenced by various environmental factors, such as temperature, water quality, and food availability, which can affect its growth rate. Therefore, the thickness of a clam's shell should be interpreted with caution, and other methods, such as counting the growth rings or using radiocarbon dating, can be used to verify the estimated age.