Cowries are mollusk sea snails that belong to the Gastropods Class, however they do not look like typical Gastropods, and the Cypraeidae Family. The name Cowry comes from the Hindi word Kauri. The Italian term for the cowry shell is porcellana, giving us the term porcelain, based on their shared translucent appearance. Globally there are two hundred and seven species of Cowry that have been placed into thirty-four genera.

Adult cowries are somewhat egg shaped with very strong shells that have no visible spire but they do have a long aperture lined with “teeth”. Their outer surface is smooth and shiny, caused by the mantle that covers the surface of live individuals. Juveniles resemble Bubble Shells and frequently display a spire. The color patterns of the juveniles shells may be very different from adult shells making identification more difficult. The strong shell of cowries protects them from many predators, however, some crustaceans, venomous cone mollusks, and octopus can defeat that defense. Cowries are known to consume algae, anemones, sponges, tunicates and other plant matter. Most cowries are nocturnal, hiding under rocks and in crevices during daylight hours.

Cowrie Shells have been used as currency in many locations around the world for centuries. They have been found in archaeological excavations throughout the Baja Peninsula, indicative that at some point in history they were most likely used as trade items. Most cowries are found in tropical or subtropical waters, but a few range into temperate waters. Seven species, from five genera, are found along the coasts of the Baja peninsula.