Shield Limpet (Lottia pelta)

Description: Shield limpets can be white, green, gray, brown, or tan, but all color variations usually have a striped pattern extending from the peak of their shell to the base. They may also have lighter colored spots on their shell. The texture of their shell can be smooth or with subtle ridges or bumps but not to the extent of the ribbed limpet. Variations in shell appearance are largely based on where the individual lives (rocks, kelp, etc). The peak of the shell is slightly forward off center and is higher in profile than some other limpets. They can grow up to 4.5 cm long.

Habitat: Shield limpets range from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. They prefer rocky high intertidal zones and kelp beds in the low intertidal zone. They can be found on rocks, gooseneck barnacles, mussels, black tegula snails, kelp, and eelgrass.

Diet: Like other limpets at Haystack Rock, the shield limpet eats algae using their toothed tongue called a radula. They seem to have a preference for microalgae, with the exception of the type that lives (and feeds) on kelp.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Ochre sea stars and black oystercatchers are known for eating shield limpets.

• When an individual switches its habitat (for example, moving from a rock to kelp), they can change the pattern on their shell to better fit their new environment.

References: Walla Walla University, The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept