HELP identify this Abalone? found on FL west coast. LOTS of PICS

[paul monfils]

Yes, it's a red abalone. Few abalone species reach this size. That plus the typical reddish color, the red edge on the interior lip, the sculpture, the colors of the internal nacre, and the four open holes are all typical of Haliotis rufescens.  Here are a couple of pictures for comparison:

<a href="http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg">http://www.ryukogei.com/can%20161.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg">http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/akaneawabi.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>