Snakehead Cowry (Monetaria caputserpentis) ハナマルユキ – size 4cm
The Snakehead Cowry is a fairly common cowry in the shallow to intertidal zone. They are grazers. Amami 2023
This Snakehead Cowry is partially covered with its mantle. The mantle can cover the entire shell. The mantle secretes layers of shell from the outside making cowries very shinny. The mantle aids in camouflage and respiration. The appearance of the mantles of different cowry species varies greatly. Amami 2018
Hawaiian Snakehead Cowry (Monetaria caputophidii) size 4cm
This is a juvenile Hawaiian Snakehead Cowry which is an endemic Hawaiian shell. The adults look like the Indo Pacific Snakeheads above. Kauai 2017
Another picture of the juvenile Hawaiian Snakehead Cowrie. Part of the mantle is exposed. They are very common in Hawaii I must have just not taken a picture of an adult thinking that I had one. I might have one in a picture of something else. Kauai 2017