New Zealand Seashore

DSC_5595 Snakeskin chiton, or papatua (Sypharochiton pelliserpentis) "butterfly shells" named after their shape, are all that remain of a chiton after it dies and the eight-part shell comes apart. These plates sometimes wash up in beach drift. Karitane *

212 / 2079

DSC_5595 Snakeskin chiton, or papatua (Sypharochiton pelliserpentis) "butterfly shells" named after their shape, are all that remain of a chiton after it dies and the eight-part shell comes apart. These plates sometimes wash up in beach drift. Karitane *

DSC 5595 Snakeskin chiton butterfly shells papatua Sypharochiton pelliserpentis common high low intertidal sheltered exposed shores Karitane