The Northern Riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana) is 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and has a yellow- brown, oblong shell with green rays and ridge. The female has a larger front edge to her shell. Freshwater mussels that live in sand, gravel, cobble, and other mixed material on the bottoms of rivers and streams, they generally need free-flowing, clean, well-oxygenated water and are found in swift flowing shallow water of smaller streams. Reproduction starts in spring when the male releases sperm into the water. The female catches the sperm with her siphon, (through which she also feeds) and once the eggs are fertilized she holds them in her gills until they develop into tiny larvae called glochidia.

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