Do clams open when they die?

Question

Do clams open when they die?

Answer 1

Yes. The person before me mentioned that the muscle holding the shell together decomposes- this is true. Also, the human jawbone will open after death for the same reason, because when you tell your body to open your mouth you are actually telling your jaw muscle to stop pulling.

Answer 2

Clams have a strong muscle which allows them to close the shells very tight when that muscle is contracted. The back of the shell (ligament) acts a bit like a spring which opens the shell. So clams use a muscle to close the shell but not for opening.

When a clam dies, the muscle starts to decompose, and to break up, so it doesn't hold the clam shut any more. The "spring" of the back still is pulling it open, so it will open.