Common Limpet
CR

Common Limpet

Patella vulgata

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patella_vulgata

Overview

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.

Threat summary

Habitat

MARINE· majorMARINE· major

Threatened in Algeria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
small mallowVU

small mallow

Malva pusilla

Unknown
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Limpet classified as Critically Endangered?
Common Limpet is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. 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.
Where does Common Limpet live?
Common Limpet occurs in Algeria, Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, and China (plus 40 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Common Limpet?
The main threats to Common Limpet are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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