Shield Limpet


Enemies & Escape

Lottia pelta has a fair number of predators.  In defense the large foot acts like a suction cup and the shell clamps down when touched.  

However fish will eat limpets if they fall off a rock or release their grip.  Some kinds of crabs and seabirds as well as humans can pry limpets off the rocks.   Several kinds of  sea stars glide along and will eat limpets if they can catch them.  However,  shield  limpets will run away from many predatory sea stars. The limpets seem to be able to sense the sea stars through either touch or some form of smell.

Black oystercatcher

 Black oystercatcher

Photo from Cannings, R., & S.  Cannings.  1996.  British Columbia. A Natural History.  Greystone Books, Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver, BC

Ochre sea star (can also be purple)

 

Ochre sea star

 

From Gotschall, D.W. 1994.

Guide to Marine Invertebrates Alaska to Baja California.  Sea Challengers,  Monterey, CA