Mantles of giant clams in Kingman Reef, Pacific Ocean (@ Brian J. Skerry/Getty Images)

Mantles of giant clams in Kingman Reef, Pacific Ocean (@ Brian J. Skerry/Getty Images)

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• Meet Tridacna gigas, native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.""They can weigh more than 200 kgs and have an average lifespan of more than 100 years
• Massive molluscs like these were once considered man-eaters and monsters of the deep.""Is there any truth to those clams, er claims?
• The highest point of this coral reef is less than two metres above sea level, making it a maritime hazard.""Perhaps you\d be better off finding out more before dipping a toe in the water?
• The colourful creatures pictured here are part of the largest living bivalve mollusc family.""Happily, you don\t need a scuba-diving licence to take a closer look at these pics