5 Things You Maybe Didn’t Know About Oysters

Oysters are beautiful, fascinating creatures. We may be a little biased but we think they’re one of the more incredible sea animals the Chesapeake Bay has to offer. Their storied history and the culture that’s grown around them make them something worth appreciating. Like many others– there’s always something new for us to learn about oysters. Check out these fun oyster facts:z

1. Oysters have been around for approximately 15 million years. This makes them relatively young when you consider that crabs have been on the planet for 450 million years, predating dinosaurs.
   
   
2. Not all oysters make pearls. While edible oysters belong to the family ostridae, pearl oysters belong to the Pinctada group, part of the pteriidae family. There are seven main oysters that can create pearls, each adding its own style, colors, size, and shapes. Pearl-making oysters are often found deep in the ocean, not near the surface like their stride cousins.
   
   
3. Oysters have a ton of health benefits. They contain a lot of zinc, which helps immunity and energy. Zinc helps boost sex drive, clear up acne, and even makes your bones stronger.
   
   
4. A single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. This cleans the bay, creating a healthier habitat for surrounding creatures. Beyond that– oysters also create shelter for other animals, ground on top of one another in clusters that eventually form reefs.
   
   
5. There are five species of oysters. While there are hundreds of varieties, they all hail the same roots, the Japanese oysters, the Kumamoto oyster, European Flat oysters, Atlantic oysters, and Olympia oysters. Each species has its own unique shape, size, and native waters.