ZEBRA MUSSEL

A bad thing to step on By:Sophie

WHAT IS A ZEBRA MUSSEL

A Zebra Mussel looks like a small clam that is black with gray stripes. They have very sharp

edges that can cut easily. You will notice

them when you step on them at your favorite

beach or lake.

Where did this organism originate?

The Caspian and Aral seas in eastern Europe and also western Asia.

How did this organism enter the Great Lakes Region and how fast is it spreading?

They are hitchhikers!

How did this organism enter the Great Lakes Region

They tagged onto the bottom of boats .Then they were brought to a different lakes.

They were brought on swim and scuba gear.

Larvae were present in ballast water from ocean going ships and were dumped into the lakes when the ballast water was dumped.

How is this organism harmful?Zebra mussels can hurt and kill Native Mussels by suffocating them. They can also clog intake pipes, boat motors and pumps.

This is a picture of Zebra Mussel’s clogging pipes

More pictures of Zebra Mussels.

This is what I think about zebra mussels.

I think the world would really be better without them.

I mean stepping on then and having them spread just isn't fun.

So I think we should do something because do you want them in your lake? Because I already have them in my lake and they sure aren’t fun so stop the spread!!!!!!!!!!!

Bibliography

• Nab the Aquatic Invaderhttp://www.iiseagrant.org/NabInvader/great_lakes.hml

• Ohio sea granthttp://www.iiseagrant.org/NabInvader/Lakes/suspects/moreinfo_zeke.html