Abalone
Alternative names: Ear shells, Sea ears, Muttonfish, Muttonshells, Ormer, Pāua
Abalones are sea snails with various sizes, ranging from 20 mm to 200 mm, depending on the exact species. Abalones have a convex shell which is either oval or round, and most species have two or three whorls.
They also have from 8 to 38 holes which help them breathe and which also release eggs and sperm in the water.
The shell has a thick inner layer which, in many species, is iridescent and can be found in a variety of colours, which makes the abalone a popular decorative item.
Abalones are widely distributed throughout the world, and in a wide range of climates, in the coastal waters. Exceptions are made by South America's Pacific coast, USA's Eastern Coast and the Arctic and Antarctic areas.