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Story: Coastal shoreline

Limpets

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Limpets

Limpets are hardy shellfish that can withstand storm waves and hours of sun exposure. They have a powerful muscular foot that clamps the shell to rocks, preventing moisture loss when the tide is out and anchoring the animal when the seas are rough. Limpets are herbivores, feeding on the seaweed that covers coastal rocks.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Coastal shoreline – The rocky coast – upper shore, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4814/limpets (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.