In the whole world there's a single two-shelled animal with eyes. Unlike clams and mussels, the Swimming Scallop can see. Just inside its shells are two rows of brilliant blue-green eyes, 30 or 40 of them. Scallops don't have brains to form images, but their eyes catch shadow and movement. Things that eat Scallops, like sea stars, crabs, and octopuses, can't sneak up so easily.

Detecting an enemy, the Swimming Scallop uses another trick clams and mussels don't have: it swims away! The Scallop lies with its shells slightly open. It draws in water, and gills remove oxygen and bits of food. Between the eyes little feelers sense what the water's bringing in. When the Scallop detects an enemy it suddenly claps shut. Water shoots out the front, jetting the Scallop backwards — or it squirts water from either side of its hinge and zooms forward to escape.

And the scallop has another adaptation for dealing with enemies. A crusty sponge grows on and covers its upper shell. A sea star touching this sponge doesn't detect the Scallop — and can't get a good grip anyway.

Puget Sound is full of amazing creatures. Like us, they depend on habitat meeting their needs and particularly on clean water. We can all help keep Puget Sound clean. Take your car to a carwash that filters the water you use. Landscape your yard with plants not needing fertilizers and pesticides, which end up in Puget Sound. There's lots you can do to make a difference.