Limpets and Birthshells
“...you can watch them slide around, using their rasping tongue...”
Welcome to September! This happens to be the most common birth month across America (and my own), so that got me thinking about a phenomenon sweeping coastal communities — birth shells.
You’ve probably heard of birth stones, gems that correlate with the month in which you were born, but “birthshells” (the name is trademarked) are a hot trend and the brilliant idea of Scott and Melissa Congress of Congress Jewelers. For September babies, it’s the humble, often overlooked Limpet.
Artwork from TropicalArtChick.com depicting the birthshell of September. All months are available!
Limpets are gastropods, or univalves, (mollusks that have a ‘foot’ at the bottom that can be retracted into the shell they’ve created), and they are herbivores. Around the world, there are over 400 species of limpets, including my personal favorite, the Keyhole Limpet. Keyholes are aptly named for the hole on their tip. On the barrier islands of SW Florida, you can find three types of Keyhole Limpets:
File Fleshy
Meta Keyhole
Cayenne Keyhole
Interesting fact, the hole at the tip of their shell is used like an exhaust pipe for eliminating wastewater and products by the animal. So, it’s basically their anus. Who knew? :-0
Limpets spend their lives attached to rocks. Once the tide comes in, you can watch them slide around, using their rasping tongue (called a radula) to eat algae. Another amazing fact about limpets: their tongue is the world’s strongest known biological structure!
Since limpets are small (less than 1” in size), and plentiful, they’re often used in crafting. Many of you are so talented with your seashell crafts! I went searching at Etsy and found lots of examples. I’ve put a few images below. Amazing!
Beautiful flower made of green limpets by SaltySeaShellCreations.com
At first, I was a bit disappointed to learn that September’s birthshell is the lowly limpet, but after learning more about them, I have become a fan. And my limpet collection has grown. I’ve got a few collected on Sanibel, a few more from my in-laws who brought them from the Dominican Republic, and I even have some from Cuba, courtesy of my son’s friend, Anthony.
What do you think of limpets? What’s your birthshell?
My collection of limpets, featuring key hole and false limpets, I believe.
Birthshell chart created by Beachcombing Magazine, idea developed by Scot and Melissa Congress, at Congress Jewelers.