Description

Also known as Cowie, Cowrie Tiger, Potato Cowrie, Tiger Shell, Tiger Snail.

Found in the arms of branching corals, on ledges, over sand, often close to seaweed areas.
They feed nocturnally on carrion, molluscs, seaweed, and sponges.
Length - 13cm
Depth - 0-30m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Cypraeidae have beautiful shiny shells and equally beautiful mantles.
The Cowries are probably the most admired and sought after by shell collectors.
Cowries have few predators, but the mollusc-eating cones like Conus textile and octopus can inject venom into the cowry's flesh through a small hole and then sucks out the contents.
The mantle is like a cloak around the shell, highly muscular and when it contracts it forces water through the tubular siphon to propel itself rapidly through the water. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypraea_tigris