Cyprea Shells a wide variety from rare collector shells to the more common type

CYPREA SHELLS



• Description Cyprea shells or the more common name Cowry Shell are the most universally collected shells. They are prized for their colors, glossy surface and markings. There are approximately two hundred species. The most abundant are in the tropics.



• In its first stage of growth the cowry develops a short pointed spire (a spire is the coiled part of the shell and it usually tapers to a point). As the shell grows the spire and its developing edge thickens. In its last stage of growth the edge thickens and it forms teeth along each side of the aperture (aperture is the opening at the front end of the shell).



• The basic shape of the Cyprea shell varies little. However, they vary greatly in size, color, pattern and the arrangement of the teeth along the aperture.


• HABITAT. Cyprea or Cowry shells are active at night and hide during daylite. They feed on algae near coral reefs.

Asellus Cyprea Shell



• One Cyprea Shell, The Asellus collector shell 1/2 inch......OUT OF STOCK

CYPREA SHELL BISTRINOTATA

• The Cyprea Bistinotat is a Cowry shell. It is noted for its color and unusual markings

• Like other Cowry species, the Cyprea Bistrinotata is active at night, prefers to live near coral reefs and is generally found across the Indo-Pacific region.




• One Cyprea Bistrinotata shell 1/2 inch......$1.65

CYPREA GUTTATA SHELL



• The Guttata Shell belongs to the Cowry shell family or scientific name Cypraeidae. Cyprea shells have been widely collected for centuries. They are sought for color, markings and glossy outer finish. The basic shape of the cowry varies little from species to species. They are night feeders on algae near coral reefs. The Cyprea Guttata shell is from the Indo Pacific rim ranging from the Indian Ocean to the Northern shores of Australia.
  
  

• One Cyprea Guttata shell captured live 2 to 3 inches......$91

HELVOLA CYPREA




• Description This a small solid elliptical shell with a covex base, often called the Honey Cowry. The teeth on each side well developed. There are darker brown colors between aperture teeth The color pattern is a lilac or pale blue. It has large brown spots intermixed with pale spots. The brilliant colors fade in time after capture.




• Habitat Lives in tropical waters between the Indian Ocean eastward to the northern shores of Australia/New Zealand. Some have been found in the Southern Japanese waters. The Helvola Cyprea shell, like other Cowries are nocturnal, living near coral and rocky sea floors.




• One Cyprea Helvola shell 1/2 inch...... .70

The Cyprea Mappa pink base



• CYPREA MAPPA SHELL PINK BASED is found in the Indo-Pacific region from the Indian Ocean East to the North Australian/New Zealand shores.




• One Cyprea Mappa pink base specimen shell 3 to 4 incnes......$3.85

Cyprea Nucleus Shell

They belong to the gastropod Cowry shell family.

Cyprea shells have been popular among collectors and tourists for many years. They are popular due to the glossy outside shell, color and markings.

The basic shape of the Cowry shell varies little; but they differ in size, color and markings.

Habitat. The Cyprea Nucleus shells are active at night. They hide behind rocks deep in coral reefs. They range from the Indian Ocean east to the northern Australian shores.

One Cyprea Nucleus collector shell 1/2 inch......$3.50

CYPREA PALIDULLA SHELL



• Range Indian Ocean to Northern Australian shores. Nocturnal (active at night) and feeds on algae. Prefers to hide in coral or rock crevices during the day.




• Cyprea Palidulla are gastropods belonging to the Cowry family of shells.

• One Cyprea Palidulla collector shells 1 inch or less ......$.35

Cyprea Poraria

What is a Cyprea Poraria shell? This shell is in the family Cypraeidae Cowry shells. The Cowry family of shells is a small family of about 200species. The Cypraeidae family is the most collected of all seashells. They have a combination of form, texture and color which makes them so appealing to the collector. Most of the Cyprea species are found in tropical seas on or near reefs. Most live in the intertidal region hiding during the day and feeding at night. Cyprea, including theBistrinotata species, feeds on algae, sponges, dead organic matter and other molluscs. The most distinguishing feature of the Cyprea (Cowry) is the ornamentation with various designs and coloration which camouflage the animal from predators. The Cowry retracts the mantle into the shell when disturbed. The mantle of the Cyprea Poraria is thick, muscular with unique coloration.

The listing picture. The picture captures the color and markings of the Poraria shell. The under side of the shell is flat and classic Cowry.

One Cyprea Poraria shells 1/2 inch......$.45

CYPREA STOLIDA COLLECTOR SHELL



• Description. Cyprea Stolida is a gastropod. It belongs to the Cowry shell family. This species is rare. It was collected live near Santa Roita Island of the Philippines. They are popular among collectors for their color and outer shell design.




• Habitat. This particular species found near the Philippines. They range thoughout the Indo-Pacific region; from the Indian Ocean east to the Northern Australian/New Zealand shores. Like other Cowry shells they are nocturnal and feed on algae. The Cyprea Stolida prefers coral reefs or rock sea floors to hide during the day.



• One Cyprea Stolida collector shell 3/4 inch......$7.00

CYPREA TALPA SHELL



• Talpa Shell belongs to the Cowry family of shells. Other details of habitat is the same as the other cowry shells described earlier.




• One Cyprea Talpa shell 2 to 3 inches......$1.15

CYPREA TERES SHELLS



• Description. Gastropod belonging to the Cowry family of shells. Noted for its color and top shell markings. This shell is fairly rare.




• Habitat Like most other Cowry shells they are found in the Indo-Pacific region; ranging from the Eastern African Coast to the Northern Australian shores. The prefer coral reefs or rocky sea floors. The Cyprea Teres like other Cowry shells are nocturnal (active at night) feeding on algae.




• One Cyprea Teres shell 1 inch......$2.45

CYPRAEA ARGUS LINNAEUS SHELL (COWRIES FAMILY)


• The Cyprea Argus belongs to the Cowry shell family. This shell is heavy for its size with a broadly cylindrical body whorl and a slight convex base.



• The under side of the shell reveal its teeth. The teeth are long and thin, longest on the outer lip situated just above the apertures widest part




• The Cyprea Argus color. Has four dark brown blotches on the under side laying on a light brown base. Pale brown bands are overlaid with brown cirles (hence its nick name Eyed Cowry).




• The cyprea Argus prefers coral reefs. They are mostly found across the Indo_Pacific region from the Indian Ocean east to the Northern shores of Australia/New Zealand.




• One Cyprea Argus collector shell 3 inches......$4.90

CYPRAEA CRIBRARIA SHELL


• The Cyprea Cribraria belongs to the Cowry shell family. This shell is heavy for its size with a broadly cylindrical body whorl and a slight convex base.



• The under side of the shell reveal its teeth. They can be seen in the listing picture.




• The Cyprea Cribraria color. Top of shell has white spots with honey brown background and white or light cream on the under side of shell.




• The Cyprea Cribraria prefers coral reefs. They are mostly found across the Indo_Pacific region from the Indian Ocean east to the Northern shores of Australia/New Zealand.




• One Cyprea Cribraria shell 1/2 inche......$4.20

CYPREA SAULAE SPECIMEN SHELL



• One Specimen shell Cyprea Saulae 1 inch......$14

Cyprea Shell, Aurantium Gmelin



• What is a Cyprea Aurantium shell? The Cyprea shell, Aurantium belongs to the Cowry shell family. It is a true collector shell found in the Indo-Pacific region. It likes to creep along the ocean bottom on the outer side of reefs. They grow to an average size of 3 inches. This is a highly coveted shell for collectors. These shells, until recently have been a rare find. The Cowry family of shells is a Gastropod (one shell animal). Cowry shells have a rounded top and flat bottom. Cowry shells are a smooth shell with colorful markings. Many such as the Cypraea Aurantium have been used as jewelry.




• The listing picture. The picture perfectly shows the deep orange top shell with a creamy under belly. The under side of the shell is flat and classic Cowry.




• These Cypraea Aurantium have some stress lines but this is normal for the species.





• One Cypraea Aurantium shell 3 to 3 1/4 inches......$140




• One Cypraea Aurantium shell 3 1/2 to 4 inches......$175

CYPREA SHELL, SCURRA



• Belongs to the Cowry family of shells (Cypraeidae). This is also an Indo Pacific tropical shell that night feeds on algae. Habitat is around coral reefs.


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• One Cyprea Scurra shell 1 1/2 inches......OUT OF STOCK

CYPRAEA MAURITIANA LINNAEUS SHELL



• The Cyprea Mauritiana belongs to the Cowry shell family. It is often referred to as the Humpback Cowry.




• This shell is thick, heavy and has a humped back




• The Cyprea Mauritiana's color is cream, overlaid with dense brown. There are rounded often fused light colored spots. The margins, base and teeth are dark brown with lighter spaces between the teeth.




• The Cyprea shell, Mauritiana lives in the Indo-Pacific region which is from the Indian Ocean east to the North shores of Australia and New zealand.

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• One Cyprea Mauritiana specimen shell 2 1/2 to 3 inches......$2.25

CYPREA SHELL, TESTUDINARIA



• Shell type Gastropod. A Gastropod is a mollusk that produces a single shell. It belongs to the Cowry family of shells.




• Cyprea shell shape varies little but there is wide differences in the size, color and pattern. The Cyprea Testudinaria is popular for its unique pattern.




• Habitat This species is active at night, found in the Indo-Pacific region near coral reefs. They feed on algae.




• One Cyprea Testudinaria collector shell 4 to 5 inches........$4.20

Arabic Cyprea



• The shell outline is oblong or nearly elliptical. The spire is barely distinguishable dorsally. As is the case in other Cypraeidae, the aperture of the shell is very narrow, and relatively long. Both the inner and outer lips are ornamented with arrays of small teeth. The dorsal side of the shell is convex or bent, and never depressed. The dorsal mantle groove (the line or area where the two mantle flaps meet when they are fully extended) is dissimilar to the shells general color pattern, and thus easily perceivable. The lateral margins are calloused, mainly towards both the posterior and anterior ends. The ventral side of the shell is typically flattened, and sometimes slightly concave.




• As is also the case in the shell of most other Cypraeidae snails, the shell surface is notably effulgent (shiny), as if it had been deliberately polished. The color is generally cream to light fawn dorsally, with shades of brown. The ventral side of the shell is colored cream to grey. The labral teeth are reddish brown and white towards the columella. The common name arabian cowry is based on a dense and irregular pattern of thin longitudinal brown lines which are sometimes interrupted by empty spaces, giving an appearance that is considered to be similar to that of Arabic script. Cypraea arabica is distributed widespread in the Indo-West Pacific. This sea snail dwells under boulder and stones, and also shelters in caverns of the outskirts of coral reefs. It lives in low intertidal zones to shallow sublittoral depths. Cypraea arabica is mainly active during the nocturnal period.




• One Arabic Cyprea shell 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 inch..... .16

Cyprea Tarmus shell



• One Cyprea Tarmus Shell 1 1/4 inch or less...... .19

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