This unusual mollusk, also called the giant Pacific chiton, grows to 13 inches, making it the world's largest chiton. For over 500 million years it has remained unchanged. Chitons are oval-shaped and wear a shell consisting of eight separate overlapping plates. Hard, leathery, reddish brown flesh covers the plates of the Gumboot Chiton and gives it its name.

Chitons don't have eyes or tentacles like many marine creatures, but their shells are equipped with light-sensitive organs. During the day, this mollusk hides under rocks or in crevices, then comes out at night to feed. The chiton uses its broad, muscular foot called a radula to scrape up bits of the red algae it eats. The radula's little teeth are magnetic, enough so that a magnet could lift the creature! Digested red algae helps give this animal its reddish brown color, making it look like a wandering meatloaf. At low tide an exposed Gumboot Chiton can breathe atmospheric oxygen. Each spring, these creatures come ashore to spawn.

The Gumboot holds onto rocks with something like suction cups, but its grip is weak. Storms easily pull chitons off rocks and wash them onto the beach. When the plates of a dead chiton are found, beachcombers call them "beach butterflies" because of their shape. Maybe you’ve seen a few yourself.

To Native people living along the coast, the giant Pacific chiton was an important food and plays an important part in stories and legends. Protect our rocky shores for future generations by being respectful. Observe chitons and other creatures without pulling them off the rocks.