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Cypraea tigris
Also known as Tiger Shell, Tiger Snail and Potato Cowry. These have very shiny shells. They are nocturnal, and feed on algae, sponges, worms, mollusks and tiny fish.
Found in shallow water beneath dead coral and in deeper water living in caves and under ledges. They are widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
Spotted this cowry with its mantle in full display during a night dive at Dayang Beach, Talikud Island. It was in about 14m of water. It measured about 7cm long. (The video is of a different individual, spotted during another dive.)
Spotted on May 26, 2012
Submitted on May 28, 2012
5 Comments
Updated this spotting with a video of a tiger cowrie bringing its mantle out.
Thank you, martinl :)
A wonderful creature Blogie
Thanks, Maria! Yes, cowries (and other sea snails) have mantles. Cowries' shells are smooth on the outside because of the mantles that envelop them. :)
Beautiful - and so interesting to learn about the mantle!