Mediterranean limpet (Patella caerulea)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Patella caerulea
- Common name
- Mediterranean limpet
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Patellidae
- Genus
- Patella
- Size
- 2–6 cm
- Depth
- 0–2 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky
- Behaviours
- herbivorous, homing
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Patella caerulea is the dominant limpet in the Mediterranean, conical 2 to 6 cm shell, blue-grey outside, iridescent blue inside. Lives clamped to intertidal rocks. Herbivore, grazing microalgae. Shows remarkable spatial memory and always returns to its home scar on the rock after each nocturnal grazing trip.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean limpet?
- Mediterranean limpet (Patella caerulea) reaches 2–6 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean limpet?
- Mediterranean limpet is found between 0–2 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean limpet dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean limpet?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean limpet?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Patella
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 140677)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5728508)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia