Ovulidae Family is a diverse Family of gastropod mollusks that have several common names such as Egg Shells and False Cowries known collectively as ovulids. These shells, along with the shells from the Eocypraeidae and Pediculariidae Families are all considered to be Cowry Allies. The Ovulid shells resemble cowry shells in that many are egg shaped, have shiny exteriors, and some have teeth along their elongated apertures. They differ from cowries in that they are generally smaller, their teeth are located only along the outer aperture lip, and although shiny, they are not as shiny as cowries.

Ovulids vary in shape from egg-shaped to spindle-shaped globose body. All have an anterior and posterior siphon notch or canal and elongated apertures. They lack an operculum. Some have very long siphonal canals on each side of their body. Most Ovulid shells are a single color, with are white. The live animal is usually very colorful. Most species extend their mantle to cover their shell which keeps it shiny. Some species utilize toxins, found in their mantle, as a defense mechanism that they obtain from consuming animals with toxic polyps.

Ovulids reside on the surfaces of sea fans, soft corals, and whip corals consuming the polyps from their hosts. In turn Ovulids are preyed upon by crabs, fish, and predatory mollusks. They are found in tropical and temperate seas, globally from shallow water to depths in excess of 100 m (330 feet). There are about two hundred fifty species members of the Ovulidae Family of which two are found along the coastal regions of the Baja Peninsula.