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Cypraea cervus -Linne 1771 Atlantic Deer Cowrie, Stag Cowrie, Micromac 4"-7.5" 41-190mm Rare Low tide to 60 feet $4 |
- Shell: Underlying color is grayish-blue, dorsum is clouded with brown, spots appear where grey shows through, three pale bands across dorsum, interior- blue, teeth- brown. Surprisingly light. Shiny and globose, of a rich brown, with many cleanly cut, or at other times indistinct, unringed spots. Definite dorsal line, plain base with strong brown teeth.
- Animal: Mantle- thick, obscures mantle pattern, lavender gray with white patches, papillae thick, same color as mantle, taper to point.
- Region: Carribean in Mexico and Bahamas to North Carolina.
- Habitat: Up to 15 feet, on pilings and under stones.
- Notes: Biscayne Bay yeilded several huge specimens in the 1960's, longest cowrie, extinction feared from pollution in Biscayne Bay and over-collection. Largest in the cowrie genus, it is know unusual to find a specimin over 6" or 15cm.
