New Zealand Seashore
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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 *
DSC5595Snakeskinchitonbutterfly shellspapatuaSypharochitonpelliserpentiscommonhighlowintertidalshelteredexposedshoresKaritane