Red abalone

Haliotis rufescens

Red abalones are large sea snails found on rocky Pacific shores. Their broad shells protect a powerful muscular foot that grips rocks and gathers drifting kelp.

Not a fish · an aquatic neighbor

Water

Saltwater

Rocky intertidal and subtidal reefs, often near kelp forests.

Temperature

Range not established

A dependable species-specific wild temperature range was not found in the selected sources.

Size

Shell nearly 30 cm (12 in) across

About as wide as a dinner plate

Lifespan

Large individuals may be 15–20 years old or more.

Life expectancy varies with place, conditions, and what scientists have been able to observe.

01 · Signature adaptation

What does it do?

Red abalones cling to hard rock and move mainly while feeding. They are broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the surrounding water.

Its superpowerA broad suction-like foot holds tightly to rocks in waves and strong surge.

02 · Home coordinates

Where does it live?

From Oregon through California to central Baja California.

Regions: Oregon · California · Baja California

03 · The menu

What does it eat?

It grips drifting kelp with its foot and scrapes food with a radula.

Herbivore: drift kelp, brown algae, red algae.

04 · Remember this

Two wow facts

Plate-sized shell

Red abalone is the largest abalone species on the Pacific Coast of North America.

Sources [1]

Kelp catcher

It can detect drifting kelp with its tentacles and fold its foot around the plant to hold it.

Sources [1]