Spotted Cowrie

Overview

The Spotted Cowrie (Naria spurca) is a common marine gastropod belonging to the family Cypraeidae. Known for its highly variable shell patterns and colors, this species is frequently encountered by divers and beachcombers within its range.

Distribution & habitat

This species is widely distributed across the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, including areas such as the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the coast of West Africa. It typically inhabits rocky shores and can also be found on muddy substrates, often residing in shallow coastal waters.

Appearance

The shell of the Spotted Cowrie is oval and smooth with a shiny surface, typically measuring between 23 and 28 mm in length, though it can range from 12 to 39 mm. Its base color is usually whitish or yellowish, adorned with indistinct orange-brown, yellow ocher, or reddish spots. The margins are often yellowish and feature a series of dimples or crenulations. The base is generally cream or white, sometimes displaying orange hues and dark spots near the edges, while the aperture is lined with large, white teeth. When alive, the cowrie extends a greyish mantle covered in long, tree-shaped sensory papillae.