UK Seas
Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores
UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.
Common limpet
Patella vulgata
Type
Molluscs, Shells
Description
A ribbed, cone-shaped shell stuck to rocks and boulders is usually all you will see; the animal inside is a snail-like mollusc with a powerful “foot” to keep it clamped to the rock.
While limpets may look as if they never move, they do move around to graze when the tide is in, and always return to their home “scar” (a limpet-shaped mark on the rock).
Location
From quite high up the shore, bigger specimens usually found towards the low water mark.
Habitat
Rocky shore, Upper shore, Lower shore, Seabed, Rock pools