The razor clam wiggles its foot down into the sand, creating a small pocket that quickly fills with water and sand. The clam then moves its body up and down while opening and closing its shell. This results in watery mixture that the clam can easily dig. It can dig some 28 inches at a speed of 0.4 inch per second. Once dug in, the clam is hard to pull out. In fact, considering its anchoring force and the amount of energy it uses to embed itself, it is ten times more efficient than the best anchors made by man.
Engineers have been inspired by the razor clam in designing what they call the first "smart" anchor. It opens and closes, and moves up and down, like a real clam.Such a strong, energy-efficient anchor could be useful on underwater research vessels, floating oil rigs, and digging devices that destroy mines.
What do you think? Did the razor clam's digging skills come about by chance? Or was it designed?
