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Mossy Chiton

mopalia muscosa

The Mossy Chiton is a fascinating creature that clings to rocks in the ocean. Its shell is covered in tiny, colorful algae that help it blend in with its surroundings!

Hábitat: Coastal rocky shores and tide pools.

Aspecto

The Mossy Chiton has an oval, flattened body covered by eight overlapping shell plates. These plates are often dull green, brown, or black, heavily textured with fine bristles and algae, making it appear mossy. This natural texture helps it blend perfectly with its rocky surroundings.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloMolluscaClasePolyplacophoraOrdenChitonidaFamiliaMopaliidaeGéneroMopalia
Mossy Chiton
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badgeaquatic trait badge
Mossy Chiton

Categoría

Invertebrate

Rareza

Common

Peligro

0/5 · Sin peligro conocido

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Despite having eyes, chitons can 'see' light and dark with hundreds of tiny light sensors on their shells!

If flipped over, a Mossy Chiton can slowly right itself by wiggling its powerful muscular foot.

Its 'teeth' are among the hardest biological materials, containing magnetite, a magnetic mineral!

They can live in the same spot for many years, slowly grazing on the same patch of rock.

Habilidades especiales

Habilidad

Super Suction

Mossy Chitons can firmly grip rocks with a strong foot, which helps them resist powerful waves and predators.

Habilidad

Living Armor

It has eight articulated shell plates that overlap, allowing it to flex its body to fit tight crevices for safety.

Habilidad

Rock Scraper Tongue

Mossy Chitons have a radula, a ribbon-like tongue lined with incredibly hard teeth, to scrape algae off rocks.

Habilidad

Rocky Camouflage

Its textured, bristly shell grows algae, which helps it perfectly blend in with surrounding rocks, hiding from hungry birds.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud
5-10
Peso
5-30
Esperanza de vida
5-15
Shell Plates
8

Dieta y alimentación

They munch on tiny plants and algae that grow on rocks, using their special scraping 'tongue'.

Alimentos principales

  • diatoms
  • green algae
  • red algae
  • microscopic plants

Método de búsqueda

  • Grazing

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

ochre sea star

Pisaster ochraceus

A common predator in tide pools.

eaten by

red rock crab

Cancer productus

Crabs may dislodge and consume chitons.

depends on

ribbed limpet

Lottia digitalis

Often shares rocky surfaces and food sources.

eats

sea lettuce

Ulva lactuca

Consumes this common green algae.

Rasgos

También conocido como

Algae ChitonMoss ChitonRock Chiton

Colecciones

Seguridad

Peligro

0/5 · Sin peligro conocido

Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuál es el longitud de Mossy Chiton?

5-10

¿Cuál es el peso de Mossy Chiton?

5-30

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Mossy Chiton?

5-15

¿Qué come Mossy Chiton?

They munch on tiny plants and algae that grow on rocks, using their special scraping 'tongue'.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Mossy Chiton?

Coastal rocky shores and tide pools.

¿Cómo caza Mossy Chiton?

Grazing

¿Cuál es el shell Plates de Mossy Chiton?

8

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