Abalone are the most primitive group of molluscs, and they have changed little since their ancestors first originated during the Cambrian period. The pinto, or northern, abalone are found from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Point Conception, California. They are the only naturally occurring abalone in British Columbia. High levels of salinity and low temperatures are also habitat requirements. Abalone are found in clumps, or aggregations, and one of their favourite places to hang out is in Nereocystis kelp beds.
Juveniles tend to hang out around crustose red algae patches, and migrate much more than adults.
Structure and Function Pinto abalone reach a maximum length of 140mm, and a maximum age of 15 years. Age is more difficult to determine than in some other molluscs, where growth rings correspond to age. Their flat, broad shell provides great protection and also is shaped to minimize resistance to water flow. The colour of the outer shell may vary between individuals. As you may have noticed in the pictures, abalone have a series of 5 openings, followed by several bumps along the edge of their shell.