Common Limpet
Patella vulgata
Not assessedPhoto: Tango22 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Molluskherbivore
The common limpet is a small sea snail that clings tightly to rocks along Europe's western coasts. Its cone-shaped shell helps it withstand crashing waves while it grazes on algae. These mollusks are so sturdy that some return to the exact same spot on the rock after feeding.
- Uses a muscular foot to clamp onto rocks with surprising strength.
- Scrapes algae off rocks using a tongue-like structure called a radula.
- Breathes through gills hidden beneath its protective shell.
OceanEurope
Read more on WikipediaAt a glance
- Classification
- Mollusk
- Scientific name
- Patella vulgata
- Habitat
- Ocean
- Regions in this directory
- Europe
- Diet
- herbivore
- Relative size
- small