1. Common limpet identification guide
  2. Common limpet identification guide

Common limpet identification guide

There are three species of Patella (large rock-dwelling limpets) in the UK. They can be difficult to separate, especially beach-worn specimens. Freshly dead or, better still, live ones provide the best opportunity for identification. The table below lists and compares the main features to look for. As many of these features vary and overlap between species, it is important not to rely on one or two of them in isolation.

Patella vulgata

Patella depressa

Patella ulyssiponensis
 Common limpet  Black-footed limpet  China limpet

Interior of shell

    
  • Varied combinations of yellow, brown, black, green and iridescent sheen
  • Usually silver-grey patch near apex
  • Peripheral area black-brown crossed by thin pale rays.
  • Apical area cream-orange
  • Like porcellain. All, or peripherally, cream.
  • Apical area usually, but not always, orange.

Foot of live animal

    
   
  • Light or dark shades of khaki, olive or grey.
  • Olive-black
  • Light to dark apricot, lacking any grey shades.

 Marginal tentacles

The small tentacles around the ege of the animal. 

    

 

  • Transparent or tranlucent

 

  • Brilliant white

 

  • Cream coloured

Side profile of shell

    
  • Variable height but generally taller
  • Shell often fairly worn
  • Usually very flattened shell
  • Generally more prominant ridges
  • Flatter shell but not as flat at P. depressa
  • Generally more structure on the ridges

Habitat

    
  •  Occurs upper to lower shore but generally more abundant around the mid levels
  •  Generally only found around the mid-tide level but also found in upper shore pools
  •  Prefers damp habitat lower on the shore