Chitons

Found on rocky shores around the UK, Chitons are a kind of mollusc identifiable by their characteristic coat-of-mail shells.

Scientific name

First photo is Acanthochitona crinite, second photo is Lepidochitona cinerea

When to see

January to December

Species information

Statistics

Length: Up to 4cm

Conservation status

Common

Habitats

About

Chitons live in the intertidal zone, their mottled grey shells offering excellent camouflage against their rocky homes. They are a type of crawling mollusc, a bit like a Limpet, and will move slowly across rocks in search of food. Like Limpets they are grazers and will feed on films of algae using their tough rasping tongue. Called a Radula, this rasping tongue is the world's strongest biological structure - it has to be to constantly scrape sponges off tough rocks without wearing away. Chitons are sometimes called Coat-of-Mail Shells as they have 8 interlocking shell plates across their backs. These are embedded in the tough muscular girdle that surrounds the chiton's body.

How to identify

A small oval shell found attached to rocks on the shore. There are around a dozen species of chiton on UK shores, most are greyish or brown with mottled markings that make them rather hard to spot. They all have 8 interlocking plates surrounded by a muscular girdle. There are many different species of chiton around the UK which can be ID by different markings and the arrangement of bristles. It is important when recording sightings as part of a recording scheme to include photos clear, close-up photos to help verifiers confirm your sighting.

Distribution

Found on rocky shores all around UK coasts.

Did you know?

The chiton's shell is very flexible - they can even roll into a ball if disturbed!

How people can help

When rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it - replace any rocks you turn over, put back any crabs or fish and ensure not to scrape anything off its rocky home.