Scallops are unique among shellfish because they can swim underwater. They achieve this by rapidly opening and closing their shells, which forces water out and propels them forward in short bursts. This movement is known as “jet propulsion.” Scallops use this ability to escape predators or move to new areas, making them one of the few bivalves capable of swimming. They typically swim in a jerky motion, using their adductor muscle to snap the shells together and push water out for propulsion. Vid