Map Cowrie

Cypraea mappa Linnaeus

Map cowries are plump, thick and heavy. Their color is a light, creamy brown with delicate brown streaks. Their name comes from the unique magnificent river and tributaries on these shells. The aperture is shaped like a logarithmic curve and its ends are shaped like horseshoes. The teeth on these cowries are small, and those on the outer lip are larger than those opposite.

Map cowries are found under coral.