Members of the family Haliotidae are well known as abalone, a prized food source in some areas. In California, for example, there are about half a dozen large species, one reaching more than 30cm (about 12 inches) in length. The few species in the Marshalls are all too scarce and too small to be worth collecting for food. Still, for the size of the shell, the animal has a large muscular foot and can move quickly over the bottom when disturbed. (Click on a thumbnail for more images of that species.)
Back to Shells
All photos are protected by copyright. Please contact uwkwaj@yahoo.com for more information on purchase, use, or redistribution of any photos.
