World’s Prettiest and Most Valuable Cowries
Cowries are small to large sea snails and also often used to refer to the shells of these snails.
Many people find the intricately patterned, very rounded, shiny, porcelain-like shells of cowries
pleasing to look at and to handle although some species are deadly.
Here are some of the most beautiful sea snails in the world.
Textile Cone (Conus textile)
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Cone snails like the elegant-looking Conus textile are dangerous species of sea snails. This particular
species is known as the “cloth of gold” and lives in the waters of the Indo-Pacific areas. The typical length
of adult Conus textile is about 9.0 cm or 3.5 in. This snail uses a conotoxin to kill its prey. This beautiful snail
is a risk to any person handling it. Several human deaths have been attributed to this species.
Lettered Cone (Conus litteratus)
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This sea snail with intricately beautiful markings is a sophisticated predatory species of sea snail, cone snail
to be specific. Conus litteratus is cone species that hunts worms and can be found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chinese Cowry (Cypraea chinensis)
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This beautiful species of sea snail which is commonly called Chinese Cowry. This species of cowry belongs to
the Cypraeide family of marine gastropod mollusk.
Mole Cowry (Cypraea talpa)
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Another sea snail with an unusual display of beauty is the Cypraea talpa. Cypraea talpa’s common name is
Mole Cowry. It is a species of cowry, a sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeide, commonly
known as cowries.
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Golden Cowry (Cypraea aurantium)
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This uncommon-to-rare species which is found in the tropical waters of Pacific Ocean commonly called Golden
Cowry is a sea snail usually found on the ocean side of islands, on the reef, at depths of 30 to 100+ feet. It normally
hides in the coral during daylight and comes out to feed at night. The Golden Cowry is a large cowry that grows 80
to 100 mm long. It is orange on the dorsum, with white to cream colored margins. These rare shells are prized by
collectors. Historically, they were worn by Fijian chiefs as a symbol of rank or privilege.
Serpent’s Head Cowry (Cypraea caputserpentis)
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This pretty species of sea snail found in the Indo-Pacific region is commonly called the Serpent’s Head Cowry.
It is usually found under rocks and in crevices or sometimes exposed.
Money Cowry (Cypraea moneta)
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This simply beautiful sea snail species commonly known Money Cowry is a very common species which is
found in Indo-pacific tropical waters. Shells of this cowry were commonly used as a medium of exchange in
many tropical areas of Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands until the late 19th century. The shell of Money Cowry
is still popular today in jewelry and for decoration of items like basket and wall hangings.
Isabella Cowry (Luria Isabella)
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One of the most beautiful species of sea snails is the Luria Isabella, a species that lives in the Indo-Pacific Oceans.
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Commonly called Isabella Cowry, it is fairly common in small holes and under stones. This Cowry may grow to
nearly 3 inches, but most are half that size at maturity. Hawaiian specimens have dark brown terminal spots,
whereas in other localities they are orange.
Tiger Cowry (Cypraea tigris)
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Like many species of sea snails, the Tiger Cowry is common throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
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It is usually found exposed next to coral heads or in holes along ledges at shallow scuba depth and is now
uncommon due to over-collecting.
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The mantle is only extended at night. The largest recorded size of this species is more than 5 inches. Four-inch
shells are quite common along the Kona coast.
Humpback Cowry (Cypraea mauritiana)
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This attractive species of cowry is normally restricted to exposed habitats such as wave-washed basalt cliffs or
breakwaters. Cypraea mauritiana or the Humpback Cowry is a sea snail commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chestnut Cowry (Cypraea spadicea)
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The lovely and attractive Chestnut Cowry is a sea snail is a subtropical cowry of the Easter Pacific Ocean. This
species is relatively common in Southern California. The adult shell of this species ranges in size from 40 to 65
mm. This species lives on exposed rocky shores and found on overhanging rock ledges.
Map Cowry (Cypraea mappa)
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This species of cowry from the north coast of East Timor is commonly known as Map Cowry. The shell of this sea
snail has one of the most intricate pattern or markings.
Gnawed Cowry (Cypraea erosa)
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Simplicity is beauty is a saying that goes along well with the Gnawed Cowry, a species of sea snail widely
distributed in the Indo-West pacific region from east Africa to Hawaii and parts of Australia.
Arabian Cowry (Cypraea Arabica)
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This snail is definitely adorable. Cypraea arabica’s common name is “Arabian Cowry”, a species that belongs to
the Cypraeide family.
Geography Cone (Conus geographus)
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The Geography Cone which is usually found in the Indo-pacific region is a beauty and is well known for its venom. The
color of its shell ranges from light gray to tan, occasionally reddish, with a mottled appearance. Beware because it has
the most toxic sting known among Conus species and is responsible for the death of at least thirty divers.
Hope you enjoyed this. Thank you!
For beautiful land/freshwater snails see
Brightly Colored Snails: Beautiful aquarium Pets
For more colorful creatures see
Smiley Slime – Slimy Smile: Pretty Slugs
The World’s Most Colorful snakes
For additional articles of colorful animals see
The World’s Most Colorful Crabs
Not All Flies Are Yucky: 10 Most Colorful Flies
World’s Most Attractive and Colorful Reptiles
Who Said That Ducks Are Ugly: Gorgeously Handsome and Colorful Waterfowls
The Twenty Most Brilliantly Colored Birds in the World
The Most Beautifully and Uniquely Colored Mammals in the World
World?s Most Brightly Colored Fishes
Top 10 Most Beautiful Caterpillars
Written by nobertbermosa
I am a Secondary School Head Teacher III and currently enrolled for my doctorate degree at Araullo University. I also contribute to Triond and Factoid
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Undersea | Alexander | 
May 19, 2012 2:43 am | 
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