The plates make the chiton flexible so that it can fit snuggly into a crevice or depression on the rocks. Some species have plates that are partially covered by a thick fleshy layer called a girdle or mantle. Under the plates the chiton has a broad oval foot for locomotion. Fossils of chitons have been found up to a half a million years old. A muscular foot holds it securely to rocky surfaces and is also used for locomotion.
Abalones have tentacles that smell and locate seaweed.
The kelp is scraped and eaten by a rasp-like tongue called a radula. Abalone blood contains properties used against penicillin-resistant bacteria, but is unable to clot. Abalones will bleed to death when cut by a careless diver, or prey such as eels, crabs, sea stars, octopi, and sea otters. Species in this area include black, green, pink, and red. Abalones have been overharvested for food and their shells, and are becoming threateningly scarce.