Ocellated Cowrie
NameOcellated Cowrie
Scientific NameCypraea ocellata
Common NameOcellated Cowrie
FamilyCypraeidae
GenusCypraea
SpeciesCypraea ocellata
Geographic DistributionIndian Ocean, including areas such as Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and parts of the Arabian Sea.
Habitatsubtidal
Average Size (mm)20
Identifying FeaturesThe combination of its ovate, glossy shape, reddish-brown background color, and prominent dark ocellated spots on the dorsal surface are key. The narrow, toothed aperture is characteristic of cowries.
Raritycommon
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
A small to medium-sized, ovate, and highly glossy cowrie shell. Its dorsal surface is typically reddish-brown to orange, adorned with distinctive dark, often ringed, ocellated spots. The ventral side is usually paler, featuring a narrow, toothed aperture characteristic of the Cypraeidae family.
