Found at the beach

[lushandryk]

Please can anyone help me identify which animal this shell belongs too?

 

 

[Thomas.Dodson]

Looks like a chiton.

[Fossildude19]

Likely a modern Chiton. 

[Mahnmut]

Hi lushandryk and welcome to the forum.

Definitely a modern chiton. Its not only the shell, its a more or less complete dried up animal. The shell is made up of different plates that are often found loose. In your case the robust mummified foot of that snail-like mollusk keeps the shell-parts together. One of these but much smaller was among the highlights of my last beachcombing holiday. They are in their own class next to gastropods  bivalves and their kin.

Best regards,

J

[Rockwood]

2 hours ago, Mahnmut said:

their kin

(chiton) You may note, go way back in time. 

[ClearLake]

Very nice, I love to see a good chiton!  And that is a very nice sized one. I’m not familiar with the various species present in your area, but you certainly have what would be needed to make a pretty certain ID by someone that is familiar with the recent fauna of your area.

[Coco]

Very pretty modern chiton and very nice size! These animals are always composed of 8 plates and are polyplacophores

 

Coco