What are scallops classified as?

Scallops are classified as a type of mollusk, which places them in the same broad category as other bivalves like clams, mussels, and oysters. Mollusks are a large group of invertebrates that typically have a soft body, often protected by a hard shell. Scallops belong specifically to the family Pectinidae, characterized by their fan-shaped shells and ability to swim by rapidly opening and closing their valves.

This classification is significant because it highlights both their biological characteristics and their ecological relationships within marine environments. Understanding that scallops are mollusks helps clarify distinctions among marine life, such as how they feed, reproduce, and interact with their surroundings compared to fish or crustaceans, which belong to entirely different classifications.