Mystery from Washington State, USA

November 14, 2003
From: Julie

I was walking on the beach at Fort Warden State Park, in Port Townsend, Washington, USA. and came across lots of these ........ any idea what they are ?
Julie

cowgirlk9@earthlink.net

Julie, 2003 (Nov 14) Mystery from Washington State, USA. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11359

Dear Julie,
I am pretty sure they are chitons. Usually they don't look like slugs because they have 8 shell plates on their back but in this species the shells are hidden by layer of leathery skin. The regular bumps or ridges in your upper photo show where the shell plates are. This species is known as the Gumboot Chiton [Cryptochiton stelleri] and is also called Giant Pacific Chiton, Giant Red Chiton, Moccasin Chiton. It is the largest chiton in the world and can be found from Alaska to Channel Islands. It grows to more than 30cm long [12 inches].
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Nov 14). Comment on Mystery from Washington State, USA by Julie. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11359

Factsheet

Chitons, Amphineura and Polyplacophora

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