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What is a Limpet?

If you look closely at vertical rocks on the high intertidal zone, you might see these. What are these? Are they a type of oyster? Maybe a barnacle?


It's actually a limpet! Limpets are actually snails with a cone shaped shell. Most limpets have a feeding scar, which is a small indent in the rock that is the shape of their shell. During high tide, the limpets come out of their home scars and eat microscopic algae on the rocks.


What are some unique adaptations limpets have? The limpet's shell is not curly like other snails. This is because it makes it harder to be pried off by birds and crabs. The flatter the limpet is, the longer it might live. Limpets are suctioned to the rocks, which also makes it harder to pull off. Since limpets usually live where the surf is rough, this adaptation is critical.


Most limpets live above the high tide zone, like the Fingernail Limpet above. But some limpets live below the intertidal, in the shallow subtidal


This is a Giant keyhole limpet. As you can see, there is a big hole in it's shell. The flesh of the creature is bigger than the shell itself. These limpets can be found in the intertidal zone, but are much limited to the outer ocean.


Limpets, like most gastropods have a tongue called a radula. This radula helps scrape algae from rocks. If we didn't have creatures like these, algae would take over.


Where to find them: Any beach where there are tidepools or rock boulders. Even if an unassuming beach contains rock algae, there is a high chance small limpets may be dwelling on them.


Even sandy beaches can have limpets. Look closely at washed up seaweed. You may see some shield limpets on the stipe (stems) of them.



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