Image from Cabrillo Aquarium, San Pedro, CA, Feb. 11, 2005

The chestnut cowrie (Neobernaya spadicea, formerly and better known as Cypraea spadicea) is a familiar and popular shelled gastropod in southern California, also occurring less commonly in central California. Most cowries are nocturnally active, grazing on algae in rocky or reef environments. Most species are tropical or subtropical so this species is a bit unusual, occurring on temperate shores.
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Image by D. J. Eernisse©2005

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