Common Limpet
Patella vulgata
Patella vulgata, common name the common limpet or common European limpet is a species of sea snail. It is a typical true limpet; a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Patellidae, with gills.
46
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patella_vulgata
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Family
Patellidae
Genus
Patella
Common Limpet belongs to the family Patellidae, order unknown, within the Gastropoda class.
Species Profile
Patella vulgata, common name the common limpet or common European limpet is a species of sea snail. It is a typical true limpet; a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Patellidae, with gills. This species occurs in the waters of Western Europe.
The Common Limpet (Patella vulgata) faces significant population declines primarily due to coastal habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change impacts on rocky intertidal zones. Ocean acidification poses a particular threat to this species as it weakens their calcium carbonate shells, while rising sea temperatures alter their preferred habitat conditions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Common Limpet (Patella vulgata) faces significant population declines primarily due to coastal habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change impacts on rocky intertidal zones. Ocean acidification poses a particular threat to this species as it weakens their calcium carbonate shells, while rising sea temperatures alter their preferred habitat conditions.
Climate change and rising sea temperatures
Coastal pollution and water quality degradation
Ocean acidification affecting shell formation
Habitat loss from coastal development
Over-collection for food and research
Found in 46 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Common Limpet (Patella vulgata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/common-limpet