Ribbed Limpet (Lottia digitalis)

Other Names: Slipper limpet, finger limpet

Description: Like all limpets, the ribbed limpet has a cone shaped shell. The point of the ribbed limpet’s shell is off center and it has grooves and bumps running from the top to the base. They can be a tan or light brown and often have dark brown spots. Ribbed limpets use their large foot to attach to rocks in the marine garden at Haystack Rock. Prying limpets off rocks could damage their foot so it is best to leave limpets where you find them.

Habitat: Ranging from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico, ribbed limpets are typically found in high intertidal areas attached to rocks.

Diet: Ribbed limpets use their tongue made of rows of teeth (called a radula) to scrape off algae to eat. Predators of limpets include sea stars, predatory gastropods (like dogwinkles), shorebirds, fish, seals, and more.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Ribbed limpets can grown to be 3 cm across.

• Ribbed limpets can live up to 6 years.

• Historically, larger limpets have been used for food and their shells have been used for making jewelry and other kinds of artwork.

References: New World Encyclopedia, Central Coast Biodiversity, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology