Zoila friendii
NameZoila friendii
Scientific NameZoila friendii
Common NameFriend's Cowrie
FamilyCypraeidae
GenusZoila
Speciesfriendii
Geographic DistributionEndemic to the waters off Western Australia.
Average Size (mm)40-100 mm (average often 60-80 mm)
Identifying FeaturesIts distinctive ovate, glossy shell with strong dark banding and blotches on a lighter background, coupled with dark margins and base, are key identifying features. The living animal's mantle is often dark and can partially or fully cover the shell.
Raritycommon
Author CitationGray, 1831
Description
A living specimen of Zoila friendii, commonly known as Friend's Cowrie, resting on what appears to be a sponge or coral substrate. The shell is highly glossy, ovate, and features distinctive dark brown to reddish-brown transverse bands and blotches over a creamy white to yellowish-brown background. The margins and base of the shell are dark, and the mantle of the living animal is partially retracted, revealing the shell's aperture.
