Ideas change everything

The fascinating secret lives of giant clams

1,336,036 plays|

Mei Lin Neo |

TED2017

• April 2017

When you think about the deep blue sea, you might instantly think of whales or coral reefs. But spare a thought for giant clams, the world's largest living shellfish. These incredible creatures can live to 100, grow up to four and a half feet long and weigh as much as three baby elephants. In this charming talk, marine biologist Mei Lin Neo shares why she's obsessively trying to turn these legendary sea creatures into heroes of the oceans.

When you think about the deep blue sea, you might instantly think of whales or coral reefs. But spare a thought for giant clams, the world's largest living shellfish. These incredible creatures can live to 100, grow up to four and a half feet long and weigh as much as three baby elephants. In this charming talk, marine biologist Mei Lin Neo shares why she's obsessively trying to turn these legendary sea creatures into heroes of the oceans.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

Don’t pick up seashells on the beach. A decrease in seashells on the beach might lead to a decline in beach health and increase in beach erosion.

Don’t support the fossilized giant clam shell trade. The mining of fossilized clam shells destroys coral reefs and their inhabitants.

About the speaker

Marine biologist

See speaker profile

TED Fellow Mei Lin Neo is helping giant clams step out of their shells and show the world that they can be the heroes of the oceans, too.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

Don’t pick up seashells on the beach. A decrease in seashells on the beach might lead to a decline in beach health and increase in beach erosion.

Don’t support the fossilized giant clam shell trade. The mining of fossilized clam shells destroys coral reefs and their inhabitants.

Mei Lin Neo: The fascinating secret lives of giant clams | TED Talk