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Cryptochiton stelleri (Gumboot chiton)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
The
gumboot chiton is the largest chiton species in the world. It's
pretty easy to identify unless you mistake it for a meatloaf! This
chiton grows to a maximum length of about 13 inches. Its eight butterfly
shaped inner plates are completely covered by a grainy red-brown
girdle. It can be found very low in the intertidal on rocky beaches
and subtidally to a depth of about 65 feet. It can also be found
washed up on the beach, especially after a storm. The grainy texture
and red coloration may be worn away in a washed up specimen leaving
it a yellow-tan color and resembling half a cantaloupe.
If you find a live chiton, please leave it attached to the rock.
They are not able to reattach themselves very well and will
probably not survive if pulled up.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 10/25/05.
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