Gumboot Chiton

      Chiton are marine mollusk.  Its shape is a low, oval mound.  All chiton have a series of 8 bony plates on the back and are arranged much like shingles.  Black leather and mossy chiton grow to 6-12 cm.  Gumboot chitons are one of the largest species and can grow as big as 30 cm.  Gumboot are red to dark maroon with orange underneath.  Mossy  chiton are black.

     Chiton are herbivores.  Their diet consists of seaweed and algae.  The chiton uses a radula that works like a tongue to eat.

     The only enemies chiton have are sea gulls and in California a predaceous snail.  Chiton move like a snail and are slow moving however, they can roll into a ball for protection.

     An interesting fact about chiton is that a yellow polychaete worm is usually found under the edge of gumboot chiton; it appears to be beneficial to the chiton but, scientists are unsure why it is there.  Another interesting fact is that chiton do not have eyes or tentacles, but are able to sense touch and perceive light from sensory cells within the shell plates.

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