Black Leather Chiton

Leather Chitons (also nicknamed Black Katy Chiton) are quite common on the Southern Oregon Coast, and are easily spotted due to their large size...they can grow to almost 5 inches long by the time they are three years old. This chiton has a glossy black leather-like tunic which nearly covers its eight plates...the signature feature of all chitons. The flexibility of these articulated plates, combined with a relatively large sucking foot, allows the chiton to cling very tightly to rock surfaces, and maintain a foothold in even the roughest surf.