Cypraea aurantium
| Golden cowry | |
|---|---|
| File:Golden cowrie.jpg | |
| Cypraea aurantium | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. aurantium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cypraea aurantium Gmelin 1791
| |
Cypraea aurantium, commonly known as the golden cowry, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.
Distribution
This is an uncommon-to-rare species which is found in the tropical waters of the west-central to south-central Pacific Ocean.
Habitat
This animal is usually found on the ocean side of islands, on the reef, at depths of 30 to 100+ feet. It normally hides in the coral during daylight and comes out to feed at night.
Shell description
This is a large cowry (80 to 100 mm long). It is orange on the dorsum, with white to cream colored margins.
Human use
These rare shells are prized by collectors. In the past, they were worn by Fijian chiefs as a symbol of rank or privilege.
References
A Guide To Shell Collecting In The Kwajalein Atoll, F.B. Brost and R.D. Coale, 1971.