File Limpet

Lottia limatula, the file limpet, is a species of true limpet, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Lottiidae. This species lives in the Pacific coasts of North America where they can be found most concentrated around the state of California, spreading south to Baja California Sur and north to Alaska as well. These limpets inhabit intertidal zones along coastlines and can be found grazing on encrusting algaes during high tide or in a sessile state sealing themselves to rock when exposed out of water. Predation from other intertidal animals in this environment include shore crabs such as the striped shore crab or sea stars such as the ochre sea star. This species is also known to avoid sea stars that are nearby their presence. This species typically reproduces in winter months with broadcast spawning between males and females. Female eggs are olive-green and coloration. Spawning months occur and peak during January, February, April, and October.