Chiton by Bianca Settle
Once upon a time, there was me.
I’m a Chiton, I live on a rock by the sea.
People think that I’m some sort of crawly bug,
but really my family are snails and slugs.
My back is covered in eight hard plates
to protect me from being squashed – a terrible fate.
With my foot and girdle I suck onto my rock
to make it difficult to pull me off.
I live my life to the rhythm of the tides,
sometimes I’m underwater, with fish swimming by.
Twice a day when the water retreats,
I’m out of the water and in the heat.
When the tide comes in the waves churn and crash,
roaring and frothing against my back.
Most of the time I stay in my spot,
nestled in my crevice in my rock.
I only move when I know it’s safe –
When I’m underwater and not during the day.
When it’s finally safe it’s time to eat,
so, venturing out, I silently creep.
When I find a patch of algae I have a feast,
scraping it with a hundred iron teeth.
When I’m done it’s time to go back,
and, indeed, I’ve a special knack
of returning back to my special crack.
People are surprised I can be so exact.
You see, I don’t really have proper eyes,
I can only tell if it’s day or night.
I do, however, have a special tongue
and I ‘taste’ my way around when I’m sliding along.
It’s a tough neighbourhood here on the coast,
even though chitons are tougher than most.
Everyone’s trying to eat everyone ‘round here,
just hear what happened to my aunt last year:
In her crack she was safely crammed,
when all of a sudden, she was grabbed by a hand!
The cunning fingers grasped and snatched.
Struggle as she did, she was no match.
She was prised away from her rocky home,
and the Bunurong people roasted her on the coals!
Now you know why I’m the way I am,
It’s hard to survive but I do what I can.
So next time you’re out by the sea
turn over a rock and you might see me.
If you would like to learn more about the huge diversity of life that can be found along our coasts and shorelines, please contact our Education Director at education@dolphinresearch.org.au for a public event, school holiday program or school incursion/excursion.
