Abalone
Species |
Number of Open
Holes |
Shape & Structure of
Holes |
Color of Shell
Exterior |
Shell
Sculpture |
Shell Margin |
Color of Body |
Color of
Tentacles |
Red |
3-4 |
oval, slightly tubular |
dull brick-red |
lumpy undulating |
red rim |
black |
black |
Pink |
2-4 |
round, highly elevated |
dull green to reddish brown |
irregular corrugated |
mottled, sharp scalloped |
black |
black |
Black |
5-9 |
round, small flush with shell |
dark blue to black |
smooth |
blue or black smooth |
black |
black |
Green |
5-7 |
round, small slightly raised |
olive green to reddish brown |
regular with coarse spiral ribbing |
brownish, sharp |
olive green to light brown |
olive green |
White |
3-5 |
oval highly elevated |
reddish brown |
regular with low spiral ribbing |
red, sharp |
yellowish tan traces of orange |
yellowish green |
Pinto |
3-6 |
oval raised |
mottled greenish brown with scattered white & blue |
lumpy exterior reflected on interior by hollows, pits, etc. |
narrow, mottled, scalloped |
mottled greenish tan or brown |
greenish brown |
Threaded |
3-6 |
oval slightly raised |
mottled greenish with red- white or brownish spotting |
wide separated prominent spiral ribs interspaced with numerous fine ribs |
thin mottled greenish, red-blue |
yellowish cream & brown |
brownish-yellow |
Flat |
4-8 |
oval raised |
brick red with white blue & green mottlings |
numerous evenly rounded spiral ribs crossed by thin raised striations |
thin, red |
yellowish green mottled |
yellowish green |