Flat Periwinkle
Littorina obtusata
Flat Periwinkles graze on algae coating wrack fronds, helping to keep seaweeds clear of overgrowth. Their shell colours can vary widely, providing camouflage against the seaweed. Around Lihou, you might spot them in clusters on bladderwrack at low tide, where their bright shells stand out once the water recedes.
- Habitat: Found on rocky shores in mid to upper intertidal zones, especially among wrack seaweeds.
- When to See: Year-round
- Length: Shell typically 6β10 mm