Marine Mammals:
* Sea Otters: These adorable creatures are considered the abalone's primary predator. Their nimble paws and strong teeth allow them to pry abalone from rocks.
* Harbor Seals: These larger seals also enjoy a good abalone meal, though they aren't as specialized as sea otters.
Fish:
* Rockfish: Several species of rockfish, particularly the kelp bass, are known to eat abalone.
* Sheepshead: These fish have powerful jaws that can crush abalone shells.
* Lingcod: These large fish are opportunistic predators that will readily eat abalone.
Invertebrates:
* Starfish: Some species of starfish, such as the ochre star, can pry open abalone shells with their tube feet.
* Crabs: Large crabs, such as the Dungeness crab, can crack abalone shells.
* Octopus: These intelligent cephalopods can pry open abalone shells with their beaks.
Other:
* Birds: While not the primary predators, birds like gulls and cormorants may opportunistically eat smaller abalone or those that are already exposed.
It's important to remember that abalone are vulnerable to overfishing, and their predators play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy population balance.