Distinguishing Characteristics |
Gastropod (1 shell), shell spiral in shape, elongate, almost oval shape, shiny, with no spire; shell brownish with whitish, sometimes ocellated (darker in center) spots, sometimes with wide brown bands; 1 whorl; aperture elongate, narrow, notched on both ends, beige-colored with numerous brown striations (teeth) along inner and outer lips; some ocellated spots on lateral sides. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the Atlantic deer cowrie, M. cervus, but the deer cowrie does not have ocellated spots on the lateral margin and is more inflated than the measled cowrie. |
Habitat |
Gulf, on offshore reefs |
Maximum Size |
11.5 cm (4 1/2 in) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
Cypraea zebra, C.exanthema |
Comments |