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COWRY SHELL SELECTIONS MANY TYPES, SIZES AND PATTERNS WITH PRICES AT WHOLESALE LEVEL
TIGER COWRY SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZES AND PRICES
Description. scientific name is Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, Family is Cypraeidae. It is a large heavy shell with a flat or concave base. The teeth on outer lip are broad and short, while the opposite teeth are thin and longer. The exception are the four lowest teeth, which are larger and shorter. The color pattern is set against a white background color, occurring in two layers. The underlying layer is bluish gray, the upper layer is reddish to dark brown. These patterns on both layers have numerous spots and blobs. The spots of the upper layer often is surrounded by a yellowish orange color. There have been on rare occasions an all black shell discovered. These shells are gastropods (mollusk that creates a single shell)and are fairly common in the Indo-Pacific region. These species are nocturnal. Hidden in the coral reefs during the day and out feeding at night primarily on algae.
One Tiger Cowry shell 2 1/2 to 2 7/8 inches.....$.40
One Tiger Cowry shell 3 to 3 1/2 inches.....$.45
EGG COWRY SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZES AND PRICES
- Description. The Egg Cowrie is a Gastropod. The term gastropod means stomach footed, a mollusk with a head bearing tentacles and eyes, a foot and a one piece shell. The Egg Cowrie is egg-shaped shell that is larger than many true cowries. The shell is smooth and shiny. The thickened outer lip has a puckered inner edge and is unevenly toothed. The shell is al white on outside; aperture is chocolate-brown. Historically the shell has been popular for personal adornment decorating canoes in the Pacific.
Habitat. Egg Cowries prefer spongy soft bodied coral. Most abundant from East African coast to Southern Japan and south to Northern shores of Australian and New Zealand. The Egg Cowrie is rather commonly found throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Listing Picture. The picture provides an excellant example of the colorand shape of the Egg Cowrie.
One Egg Cowry Shell 3 to 3 1/2 inches......$.80
One Egg Cowry shell 2 to 2 1/2 inches......$.69
TIGER COWRY PURPLE TOP DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Cypraea Tigris - commonly know as the Tiger Cowry. It feeds on polyps on coral reefs. It is most commonly found under the coral rocks in the Indo-Pacific region and also around the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The exterior of the shell is smooth and polished because of the covering that the animal has, called a mantle, that wraps around the entire shell. Some cultures see cowry shells as a symbol of fertility and are often offered to a bride as a gift to ensure fertility. The outer shell is brown and black spotted, similar to a tiger, but the purple resides in a lower layer. To reach the purple of the shell, they are dipped into an acidic formula. Tiger cowries are also used in carvings like cameos due to this uniform color under the patterned shell.
One purple Top Cowry 3 inches......$.79
TIGER COWRY PURPLE TOP DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Cypraea Tigris - commonly know as the Tiger Cowry. It feeds on polyps on coral reefs. It is most commonly found under the coral rocks in the Indo-Pacific region and also around the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The exterior of the shell is smooth and polished because of the covering that the animal has, called a mantle, that wraps around the entire shell. Some cultures see cowry shells as a symbol of fertility and are often offered to a bride as a gift to ensure fertility. The outer shell is brown and black spotted, similar to a tiger, but the purple resides in a lower layer. To reach the purple of the shell, they are dipped into an acidic formula. Tiger cowries are also used in carvings like cameos due to this uniform color under the patterned shell.
Five Purple Top Tiger Cowries 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches......$.85
SMALL PURPLE TOP COWRIE SHELLS DESCRIPTION (SEE OTHER PURPLE TOP COWRIES), SIZE AND PRICE.
Fourteen Small Purple Top Cowrie shells 1/2 inch...... 1.69
DEER COWRIE SIZE, DESCRIPTION AND PRICE
Description The Deer Cowry is a solid, ovate or elliptical shell with a slightly covex base, that has a little bumpy margin. Its teeth are not long but thick. The Deer Cowry shell is mostly found in the Tropical Indo-Pacific region. An area stretching from the Eastern African coast East to Northern Australian/New Zealand shore. Deer Cowry's like to Hyde by day under coral slabs and become active at night feeding on algae. The color of the shell is creamy brown, with wide bands of darker brown, overlaid with porcelain like spots. Its margin has faded stripes and the teeth and base are white with a hint of beige.
- Scientific name Cypraea Ventellus (Linnaeus)
Four Deer Cowry Shells 1 1/4 to 2 inches......$.60
<WART COWRIE SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Description. The Wart Cowrie Shell is found in the Indo-Pacific Tropical region; primarily around the Indonesian Islands, near and around reefs. They are popular for craft use, tank decorating and with collectors. The shell is a creamy white with purple highlights around each shell end. Like other cowry shells, this species prefers a nocturnal (active at night)life.
Listing Picture. The picture shows the creamy white body of the Wart Cowrie and its purple tinted ends.
Eight Wart Cowry Shells 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches...... $2.10
LYNX COWRIE SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
- The Lynx Cowrie is light colored with brown spots. It has a flat base, coarse strong apertural teeth with orange coloration between. They are found in the Indo-west Pacific region through northern Australia. The Lynx Cowrie is commonly found in intertidal and shallow-subtidal areas, under rocks or coral.
Listing Picture. The picture provides an excellent example of the Lynx Cowrie shape, color and markings. Four Lynx Cowry shell 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches...... $.60
SNAKEHEAD COWRY SNAIL Description. Scientific name: Cypraea Caputserpentis.
Distribution. Indo-Pacific from eastern African Coast to and including the Hawaii coasts. The Hawaii name is leho-kupa. It is the most common species in the Hawaiian island chain. The Snake Head Cowrie, like other of its species prefers the nocturnal life. It is commonly found under loose rock or along shorelines and seawall cracks. Some have been found feeding on algae or seaweed using its file-like radula. The Snake Head is rarely found in water deeper than 10 feet
The Snake Head Cowrie is oval shaped, with a raised central area. Its top is brown, with spots of white. A white line or mantle line runs from front to back along the shell top. The base of the shell is dark brown. The shell is covered by a shiney mantpictule. The mantle is olive brown with irregular spots or flecks of yellow, green, or white and is covered with frilly, branched extensions called papillae.
Cowries, like most other snails, have: (1) a well-developed head with eyes and tentacles and a mouth; (2) a broad muscular foot for crawling; and (3) a soft body mass (containing the internal organs) which is protected by their shell.
- Listing Picture. The picture shows the shape, color and unique markings of the Snake Head Cowrie.
Snake Head Cowry shells 1/4 pound...... $2.10
<CAURICA COWRIE SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Description. The Caurica Cowrie Shell is a fairly common cowry found in the Indo-Pacific Tropical region; primarily around the Indonesian Islands, near and around reefs. They are popular for craft use, tank decorating and with collectors. The shell is a mixture beige, tan and bands of cream. Like other cowry shells, this species prefers a nocturnal (active at night)life.
Listing Picture. The picture shows the color, shape and body markings of the Caurica Cowrie. - Six Caurica Cowrie shells 1 to 1 1/2 inches....... $2.95
CYPREA ONYX SHELL DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Description. The Cyprea Onyx is a common Indo-Pacific shell. They as other species of its kind are nite creatures. They seek rocky or coral reef areas.
One Cyprea Onyx Shell 1 to 1 3/4 inches...... .59
RINGTOP COWRIE SHELLS DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Description. Ringtop Cowries are common in the Indo-Pacific region. Ringtops are unique with their markings and like other cowry shells have been used for thousands of years by islanders for various type of decorations and rituals.
One half pound of Ringtop Cowry shells 1/2 to 3/4 inch...... $2.35
MONEY COWRIE DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE - Description. Scientific name is Cyprea Moneta. They are found in moderately shallow water. The Money Cowrie is a triangular shaped, back is bumpy with thick margins. This cowry shell color ranges from white to deep yellow. The Money Cowry is common across the Indo-Pacific region. This region ranges from the East African Coast east to the Northern Austrailian/New Zealand coasts. The Cyprea Moneta got its name, when tons of shells were shipped to Africa and used as currency. They are still used in parts of Africa. 100 shells are equal to an English penny.
One Half pound of Money Cowries 1/2 to 1 inch...... $2.75
WHITE COWRIE DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND PRICE
Description The White Cowrie is common in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a shallow water species found among reef and rocky shores.
Twelve White Cowries 1/2 to 1 inch...... $1.20
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