Owl Limpets (Lottia gigantea)

Other names: giant owl limpet

Description: Shaped like an off set cone like many of the other limpets at Haystack Rock, owl limpets tend to be a bit shorter and flatter compared to their relatives the ribbed limpet or the shield limpet. This species is named for the great horned owl shaped pattern on the inside of their shells. The outside of their shells might have a dark brown, white, and light brown rings like the image shown on the right. However, owl limpets can also be more of a uniform brown or gray. The owl limpet has a smooth shell that can grow up to 10 cm in length.

Habitat: Owl limpets range from Northern Washington to Baja California, Mexico. They are found on hard substrate like rock or mussels.

Diet: Owl limpets primarily eat algae.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• The largest limpet found in North America, owl limpets can be between 8 and 10 cm long.

• Owl limpets start their life cycles as a male and then as they grow they have the ability to transition to female when conditions are right.

• Owl limpets are estimated to live up to 20 years.

• Female owl limpets are territorial and select a region of rock that is their territory to graze on algae.

References: Animal Diversity Web