The creeper has never been found in lakes in the Northeast, but they have been discovered in small impoundments of run-of-river dams. (Nedeau, 2008)
Key Characteristics
- Size: Generally less than 5 inches
- Shape: Variable, but often elliptical or trapezoidal. Laterally compressed with beak not elevated above the hinge line.The shell is thin in younger specimens and becomes thicker in older individuals.
- Periostracum: Tan or brown to dark brown or black. Younger individuals often have a greener shell with green rays.
- Lateral Teeth: Well developed; the left valve has two and the right valve has one.
- Pseudocardinal Teeth: Well developed; the left valve has two and the right valve has one.
- Nacre: Pink, purple, or white, often with pinker hues in the center and and whiter on the outer margin.
- Similar Species: Cylindrical Papershell; Giant Floater.
Conservation Status
- State and Global Rank: S3G5
- Vermont Endangered Species Law: Not Listed
- Vermont Wildlife Action Plan: Not Listed
Habitat
Creeper are river generalists and can be found in headwaters, deeper pools , and streams. It is likely more scarce in lower reaches of rivers, and absent from land-locked lakes.
Host Species
Largemouth bass, green sunfish, yellow perch, golden shiner, longnose dace, Atlantic sturgeon.
More Information
Range
This species is found mostly in streams, and occasionally in lakes, including Lake Champlain. Rivers in which it occurs include the Black (Irasburg), Black (Ludlow), Connecticut, Lamoille, Missisquoi, Moose, Nulhegan, Poultney, West, and Winooski Rivers, Lewis and Otter Creeks, and Indian Brook (Colchester). The greatest densities were found in Lewis Creek and the lower Poultney River.
Distribution map has locations where this species has been documented and digitized into the atlas database. Systematic surveys have not been conducted for many species and those surveys that have been conducted have been largely focused on endangered species. Therefore, in some cases, the actual distribution of freshwater mussels may be more extensive than what is presented here. Shaded areas are watershed sub-basins and river main stems are shown.
