The Secret Life Of Shellfish Will Surprise And Terrify You

We never knew mussels looked like THIS.

Shellfish are real lookers on a plate.

But would you still swoon over scallops if you knew about the dark and gooey life they led before reaching your restaurant?

It turns out some of our favorite shellfish (read: ALL of our favorite shellfish) look a little terrifying before they're cooked and served. Sure, they taste delicious in savory stews and flavor-packed pastas. But c'mon, shellfish: We NEVER knew you looked like this IRL. For example...

Raw clams vaguely resemble body parts.
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Is this a clam, or that dangly thing in the back of your throat? The similarity is too close to call.
And mussels could also double as a mini little stomach.
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Eeeeeeeeeeeek.
THIS is shrimp, people.
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Stare into its beady little eye for good luck.
And behold, the geoduck clam.
You know what this one looks like.
Say hello to the REAL scallops.
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Reminiscent of something we'd dissect in science class.
Crab, before it hits the plate.
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So. many. claws.
Oh, and meet raw squid.
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Mmm, looks like calamari.
Octopus, is that you?
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Yes, just waaay less fancy than when he's flanked by arugula.
As if we needed a reminder about oysters...
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Positively slimy.
...or lobster.
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Hello, antennae!
And if you won't eat shellfish anymore ... Ollie will.
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We're just a little grossed out by now. Thanks for picking up our leftovers, Ollie!

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