Conspicuous Chiton (Stenoplax conspicua) ~ There are several species of chitons (pronounced "ki ton") found in the Abalone Cove tide pools.   All chitons have an 8-piece shell held together by an outer girdle seen clearly here in the photo.  This girdle is covered in stiff hairs.  Chitons can be black, greenish, green and gray with brown lines, red, white, blue, brown with white spines and brick-red, pink to lavender in color.  They are very sluggish and eat algae with their radula (a ribbon of hard teeth). If you look closely, you can see a teeny bat star on the top of this chiton.  Chitons can grow from 1/3 to 12 inches and can live up to 25 years.