Cowrie question

[KhawMengLee]

I recently got one of these:

Red cowrie (Cypraeidae sp.).

I was wondering if anyone knows what its diet is for sure?

cheers
Meng

 

[pagojoe]

The species is likely an omnivore. It probably eats algae and microorganisms that it scrapes off of rocks, but it may supplement its diet with sponges? I've often found these cowries in association with sponges, but I can't be certain that they were feeding on them. The coloration may simply be camouflage, but it's often a hint regarding the animal's diet.

Cheers,


Don

 

[KhawMengLee]

Thanks!

Its sponge shopping time!