True limpets can be found along exposed rocky shorelines, often above the low tide mark, exposed to air for hours at a time. The conical shell is held against the rock, conserving moisture, but is extended away from the rock when a wave crashes, to allow water to pass over the gills.

            At high tide, when moisture loss is least likely, they move around grazing on algae. As the tide falls some species regularly return to a homesite of attachment where they have ground a circular placem for themselves in the rock, which fits their shell. Years ago, a few mischievous scientists discover that by changing the shape or surface features of a particular limpets homesite, they could limit the ability of that limpet to identify it.

The related keyhole limpets must live at greater depths due to the hole in the top of the shell which would allow too much moisture loss if left exposed. Water exits through this hole after it has entered under the shells lip and passed over the gills.