16 Questions
What is unique about the circulation system of a pāua?
Its blood doesn't clot.
What happens when a pāua is stressed or injured?
It clamps down and can take several days to recover.
Why is it important to handle pāua with extreme care?
They are easily stressed and injured, and can bleed to death from the smallest cut.
What should you do if you're not sure if a pāua is undersized?
Leave it.
What is the minimum length of black-footed pāua that can be taken?
125 mm
What type of tool is recommended for handling pāua?
A thin plastic spatula with no sharp edges.
What is the main reason pāua are vulnerable to predators?
Their limited defense mechanism.
Why is it important to perfect your technique when handling pāua?
To minimize the stress and injury to the pāua.
Pāua are ancient sea snails that haven’t evolved since the time of the ______.
dinosaurs
Pāua breathe and reproduce through the row of small ______ that runs along their shell.
holes
If threatened, a pāua’s only form of defence is to ______ down.
clamp
A pāua needs to be carefully ______ if it’s to survive back in the water.
handled
It’s illegal to take black-footed pāua that measure less than ______ mm.
125
A thin plastic ______ that has no sharp edges is best for handling pāua.
spatula
The ______ of a pāua is very basic, and they breathe and reproduce through the row of small holes that runs along their shell.
respiratory systems
A pāua tries to stop the bleeding by ______ the muscle around the wound.
contracting
Study Notes
Pāua Characteristics
- Pāua are ancient sea snails that haven’t evolved since the time of the dinosaurs.
- They have basic blood and respiratory systems.
- They breathe and reproduce through the row of small holes that runs along their shell.
Vulnerabilities
- Pāua are easily stressed and injured.
- Their only form of defence is to clamp down, which can take several days to recover.
- During this time, movement is restricted, making feeding difficult and increasing vulnerability to predators.
Circulation System
- Pāua have a unique circulation system where their blood doesn’t clot.
- They can bleed to death from the smallest cut.
- When injured, pāua try to stop the bleeding by contracting the muscle around the wound.
Handling Pāua with Care
- It’s essential to handle pāua with extreme care to avoid injuries.
- When taking pāua, they need to be carefully handled to survive back in the water.
Guidelines for Sustainable Harvesting
- Use a measuring gauge to ensure the pāua is not undersized (at least 125 mm for black-footed pāua in New Zealand).
- Always use a thin plastic spatula with no sharp edges to collect pāua.
- Perfect the technique of sliding the spatula underneath the pāua smoothly and quickly.
- Treat undersized pāua with extreme care and return them to the water carefully.
Pāua Characteristics
- Pāua are ancient sea snails that haven’t evolved since the time of the dinosaurs.
- They have basic blood and respiratory systems.
- They breathe and reproduce through the row of small holes that runs along their shell.
Vulnerabilities
- Pāua are easily stressed and injured.
- Their only form of defence is to clamp down, which can take several days to recover.
- During this time, movement is restricted, making feeding difficult and increasing vulnerability to predators.
Circulation System
- Pāua have a unique circulation system where their blood doesn’t clot.
- They can bleed to death from the smallest cut.
- When injured, pāua try to stop the bleeding by contracting the muscle around the wound.
Handling Pāua with Care
- It’s essential to handle pāua with extreme care to avoid injuries.
- When taking pāua, they need to be carefully handled to survive back in the water.
Guidelines for Sustainable Harvesting
- Use a measuring gauge to ensure the pāua is not undersized (at least 125 mm for black-footed pāua in New Zealand).
- Always use a thin plastic spatula with no sharp edges to collect pāua.
- Perfect the technique of sliding the spatula underneath the pāua smoothly and quickly.
- Treat undersized pāua with extreme care and return them to the water carefully.
Learn about pāua, ancient sea snails that haven't evolved since the time of the dinosaurs. This quiz covers their unique biology and conservation status.
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