chiton

Group of marine molluscs, ranging in size from 1 cm/0.4 in to 15 cm/6 in; some are littoral (intertidal) whilst others live at greater depths. They live on vegetable matter and are like limpets in habit; they usually attach themselves to rocks, but can crawl by means of their long foot, and are capable of rolling themselves up.

All the species are bilaterally symmetrical, have eight shell-plates embedded partially or entirely in the mantle, and are covered with spicules.

Classification Chitons are in class Polyplacophora, phylum Mollusca.