A mussel is a type of mollust with two outer shells linged together. The hard shell is used as protection from potential predators that want to consume the soft tissue found with the shell.
Mussels are filter feeders, sucking in water and food through specialized structures called siphons.
Because they are filter feeders, mussels are especially sensitive to any pollutants within the water. For example, if a barrel of oil spills into a creak, the mussels downstream willl eventually thake the oil into the bodies. Two species, the Northern Riffle Shell and Clubshell are also listed as Federally Endangered. Click here to see all 27 mussels that live in the French Creek Because mussels are filter feeders, they do not have to move around to catch their food. Thus, mussels remain relatively stationary.