Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 4360773
Tiger Cowrie
Cypraea tigrisAlso known as Tiger Cowry, Leopard Cowrie
Tiger cowries graze across Indo-Pacific coral reefs under cover of darkness, retreating deep into crevices and under coral heads during daylight. Two mottled, papillae-covered mantle lobes extend outward to envelop the shell, protecting its glossy enamel from abrasion and fouling organisms. Their steady grazing across substrate helps keep rock surfaces clear for settling larval corals.
MarineNocturnalMollusk
Licensed reference(c) Rickard Zerpe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Encrusting Algae
- Sponges
- Bryozoans
Predators
- Octopuses
- Pufferfish
- Stingrays
ThreatsShell collecting, reef habitat degradation, and ocean acidification
HabitatsCoral reefs, shallow lagoons, and rocky intertidal zones
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLittorinimorpha
- FamilyCypraeidae
- GenusCypraea
- SpeciesCypraea tigris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Leave Shells in Place: Never collect living or dead specimens, as empty shells provide homes for hermit crabs.
- Night Diving: Search reef ledges after sunset with a red torch to spot their delicate mantle fully extended.
Frequent Companion (c) AntanO, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator Ahmed Abdul Rahman / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Philippe Bourjon / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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