Abalone

A large marine snail common to California. Abalones are low flat shells and the inside is iredescent. They have a row of small hles for exhaling water.

There are over 70 different kinds of abalone or sea ears as they are sometimes called. The most common ones are are the Rainbow abalone, the Red Abalone which is common in the waters off California and the Donkey's Ear Abalone. The animal clings to rocks and corals.

The abalone has been heavily exploited in the past both as food and traditionaly for the iridescent shells, which went to the jewelry trade. The abolone divers in the coasal waters run the risk of attack by great white sharks but the trade is lucrative.