Date:Mon 12/12/2022 3:19 PM
Happy Monday everybody! Today's "Fish" of the day is the gumboot chiton!
The gumboot chiton, also known as the "wandering meatloaf" and by the scientific name of Cryptochiton stelleri. Found along Pacific coasts from California to Alaska, and then along the shores of Japan the gumboot chiton is a well known mollusk.
This animal is the largest chiton, coming up to a size of 14 inches and getting as heavy as 5 pounds. They have 8 well armoured plates that run along their back, but are hidden by the red brown colored girdle (upper layer of skin, that is described as feeling leathery). Like most mollusks they eat various algae they can scrape off of rocks.
I wish everyone a good Monday!
