"It is native to cold waters of the North Atlantic, spanning from North Carolina to Labrador, Iceland, the White Sea, Russia and Spain. Living animals have not been found outside its native range, but shells have been found on shores in California and Oregon."  Via the Smithsonian Institute.

Quahogs (Mercenaria ssp.) are not uncommon in Florida.  I have my doubts about either the species ID or the veracity of the story.  It was supposedly found alive.  To me, the few pics of it from the article look like an abnormal Mercenaria clam.  The size given is not unusual since they can get quite large.  I did the measurement for the "WRS" Mercenaria found here in Florida.

John

John and Cheryl Jacobs
COA 2024 Oral/Silent Auction Chairs
Seffner, FL
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-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Marcelo Vanin
Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2023 7:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Florida man finds giant clam estimated to be 214 years old

I am curious to know the group’s thoughts about this shell find and article:

A man in Florida was walking with his family on a beach when he found an abnormally large clam. It turns out, it was not only big, but extremely old – and dates back to 1809.

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, a research lab and aquarium, said Blaine Parker was on Alligator Point, a Florida beach on the Gulf of Mexico, when he found the quahog clam.

Most of these clams are 2.8 to 4.3 inches, according to the lab, but Parker's was six inches and 2.6 pounds.

Full article here: 
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/giant-clam-florida-214-years-old-alligator-point-gulf-of-mexico-abraham-lincoln/

Happy shelling,

Marcelo Vanin

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