Home - Species of the Month Archive - November 2006.
Species of the Month November 2006
Common name: Slipper Limpet
Latin name: Crepidula fornicata
A type of sea snail (Mollusca)
Key Features
- 'Toe-nail' shaped shell up to 5 cm long.
- Usually stuck to rocks, shells or stones.
- Often forms 'clumps' or stacks with the oldest shell at the bottom.
- White or ceam with orange or pink blotches.
Where to look:
Lower shore sometimes attached to other shells. Empty shells found on the beach.
Origin:
The USA, transported into the UK with oysters.
Effects of warming sea:
May extend northwards but limited by minimum winter temperatures.
Effects on the environment:
Competes with other filter feeders for food and space.
More information:
Click here find out more about this species on the MarLIN website
