Common Limpet Patella vulgata
The conical shape of the common limpet is an unmistakable characteristic of this sea creature.
Conservation status in Norfolk
There are no conservation issues regarding this marine species.
How to help
The marine environment is under pressure and by supporting campaigns, such as the Wildlife Trust Living Seas campaign, we can help the common limpet and other marine invertebrates.
Rob Spray
Information on the Common Limpet
How to recognise
This distinctive mollusc has a conical shape and can be found fixed tightly to the rocky strata on which it resides. In Norfolk we have a limited amount of naturally occurring rocky strata, but you may find limpets on groynes and other hard shore furniture. The limpet holds itself in place with its strong foot and this gives it a large degree of resilience against the action of waves on the seashore. However, limpets are not static creatures and if witnessed moving around hundreds of tiny white tentacles can be observed around the perimeter of the shell. The greyish shell is up to 6cm long.
Where to see
The limpet is an extremely abundant species that can be found on all rocky shores up and down the Norfolk coast
When to see
The limpet can be seen all year round.
Did you know?
In order to prevent desiccation at low tide limpets grind a groove into the rock surface on which they live. This makes a mould of the shell edge in which the shell then sits. At high tide the limpet moves off to feed on algae returning back to its ‘home site’ by following a mucus trail. When the tide is out the limpet is back sitting in its groove, giving itself extra protection from the open air. This is a fascinating piece of behaviour and open to further research as to the underlying mechanisms involved. Researchers could manipulate distances from the home site and disrupt routes of mucus to learn more about the possible memory mechanisms involved.
Related questions
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