Overview
Brief Summary
Historical importance
Ecology
Local Distribution and Habitats
Biogeographical Distribution
Life History
Behaviour
Cyclicity
Evolution & Systematics
Systematics or Phylogenetics
Morphology and Physiology
External Morphology
Anatomy
Conservation
Threats
Wikipedia
References & More Information
Bibliographies |
The Tiger Cowry (Cypraea tigris) is a species of tropical gastropod belonging to the family Cypraeidae (Walls 1987). They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific and are recognisable by their brown spotted shells (Burgess 1986). Historically, cowry shells have been collected and used as currency (such as the species Cypraea moneta) or as souveniers, and little interest has been shown for the animal that lives within. The earliest mention of cowrie shells can be traced back to the 14th Century B.C, where in China they were used as currency (Burgess 1986).
 
Like all cowries, C. tigris is able to fully extend its mantle to completely cover the shell (which can clearly be seen in the above picture). It is also one of the most common species of cowries and their large papillae are very distinct. Sexes are seperate and females are generally larger than males (Burgess 1986). |
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