Polyplacophora

The Polypacophora - colloquially known as chitons (pronounced kite-ons) or Coat of mail shells -  are some of the more unusual looking of the molluscs. They have eight shell plates embedded in the mantle and surrounded by a fleshy girdle. They possess a muscular foot (identical to that found in Gastropods) which is used to attach the animal and move around. They live attached to rocks, the eight shells allowing the animal to move across relatively uneven surfaces. If dislodged it can roll into a ball for protection.