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Set of seven Terebra, from left to right

Terebra areolata, Link 1807 off shore shallow water in sand Nha Trang, Viet Nam

Terebra dimidiata, Linné 1758 20′ in sand  Nago Bay, Okinawa 1985

Terebra pertusa, Born 1778 diver 7-10m  Olango Island, Cebu, Philippines 2008

Terebra crenulata, Linné 1758 40′ in sand night SCUBA Tuamotus, French Polynesia 2000

Terebra nebulosa, Sowerby, 1825 diver 7-10m Olango Island, Cebu, Philippines 2008

Terebra, subulata, Linné 1767 in sand at night Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Terebra guttata, Roding, 1798 15-10m inside reef by diver Balayon Bay Batangas, Philippines 2007

Terebra are closely related to Conus and Turris. They all have a poison apparatus to kill their prey. Terebra feed mainly marine worms. Terebra live worldwide, with most species in the Indo-Pacific region.  Terebra is one of four genera in Terebridae, the others being Hastula, Duplicaria and Impages.  Many of the smaller species are near impossible to identify. The largest specimen presented in this group just over 5″ and the smallest is 2 1/2″. Terebra maculata, LInné 1758, not offered here is far and away the largest growing Terebra reaching a size of 10″. In Florida we have Terebra taurinus, Lightfoot 1786 which grows to 5″ and Terebra floridanus, Dall, 1889 which grows to 3″ plus several dozen much smaller species.

Cypraea aurantium, Gmelin 1791. In the  Fiji and Solomon Islands the Golden Cowrie is a symbol of power and rank for chieftains. Until recently it was considered very rare. Then its habitat was discovered and now reaches the market in sufficient numbers. The cowrie lives in deep water inside of caves which explains why beached specimens are seldom seen. When Philippine divers first learned where to find the golden cowrie they kept the habitat and locations secret to preserve the value. Until recently very few specimens came with data. Although available now to collectors, gem quality specimens are extremely rare. Something in the growth cycle cause stress marks as the animal reaches maturity and virtually every specimen has a few growth lines, often making the shell ugly.  Our specimen, while not a gem is has minimal growth lines that do not distract. The specimen is from the collection of Richard Kent.

Cypraea aurantium, Gmelin 1791, Collected under ledge inside cave by hookah diver at 25 to 30 meters deep, night time, off Prieto Diaz, Albay Gulf. Philippines 2006. Size about 3 1/2″ or 90mm