Pacific Deer Cowry
Lyncina vitellus
Also known as: Calf Cowry, Cowry, Deer Cowry, Milk-spotted Cowry
- Calf Cowry
- Cowry
- Deer Cowry
- Milk-spotted Cowry
Overview
Found under coral slabs, stones and amongst seaweed, sometimes partially buried in sand, over coral and rocky reefs. Shiny shells.
They feed nocturnally on invertebrates.
Cypraeidae have beautiful 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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 1
Found under coral slabs, stones and amongst seaweed, sometimes partially buried in sand, over coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 1
Discussion 2
Deep dive
More in the family
Sea Snails (Cypraeidae)






