They normally lie hidden beneath the sand but now thousands have washed up on a Welsh beach

The mass death of razor clams, washed up on a Welsh beach, has likely been caused by recent storms

Razor clams normally lie hidden beneath the sands of beaches. Yet thousands have now washed up on Welsh beach. Recent stormy conditions have carried the shells stretch right across Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot.

After storms huge numbers of the marine creatures often wash up on shore, wildlife experts say. Mass deaths have also been attributed to adverse environmental conditions and even attacks by starfish, which feed on the razor clams.

Razor shells, also known as razor clams, are sensitive to minor changes, such as temperature and salinity in the water. Storms which cause sand movements off shore that can expose them. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

Don't miss: 'Incredible' dad of four dies on first holiday abroad with friends in Benidorm

Read next: Forty trees fell in one area of Wales as strong winds hit

The creatures, which have long, narrow grey and white shells and a life span of 10 years. The creatures burrow down and live buried in the sand around the low tide mark and on the seabed out to 60m deep.

They use their strong muscular “foot” to dig into the sand and filter feed on plankton. Quite often they are seen washed ashore after storms.

Recent strong winds have been caused by tropical storms making their way across the Atlantic. You can read all about more storms to come in Wales here.

The Wildlife Trust of South and East Wales explains on its website: “Their long narrow shells are a common sight on our shores, especially after storms, but the animals themselves live buried in the sand.

“Razor clams filter feed on plankton and detritus and quite often, the two small siphons are all that is visible. After storms, huge numbers of razor clam shells often wash up on beaches. In Scotland, they are called spoots - named after the jet of water they shoot out when burrowing at low tide.”

There are three very similar species of razor shell found in UK seas. They have two long, thin shells, brownish in colour, with pale worn patches near the hinge.

Razor clams are found on shores around the UK coast and can be seen year-round. The scientific name for these creatures is Ensis magnus.