[syn. Cypraea aurantium]Golden cowryCypraeidaeSamar, Philippines103 mmUndersidewww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/6477933695/in/datetaken-...This was an expected gift from a friend in the PI.NOTE: I have not collected live shells since the mid-1970's. I believe that the animal itself is much more valuable alive than destroyed for its shell. It is for this reason that I will now only collect beach/forest shells from deceased specimens.
This species image was collected from Puget Sound sediments and photographed by the Washington State Department of Ecologys Marine Sediment Monitoring Team. For more information about this teams work visit: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/psamp/index.htm.Cant get enough benthos? Check out our Eyes Under Puget Sound Critter of the Month species profile blogs at bit.ly/critterofthemonth