Physical 

Eastern oysters are bivalves with a soft body inside two rough shells, which are white to gray in color.   The bottom shell is cupped, with a purple muscle scar on the inside. Eastern oysters are 150-250 cm  in length.

 

Habitat

They live in shallow estuarine water along the Atlantic coast. They prefer a firm substrate, and attach to each another, forming beds or reefs that  provide habitat for many fish and invertebrate species.

 

Feeding 

Eastern oysters are filter feeders, consuming plankton by opening their shells and pumping water through their gills.