This Tiger Cowrie (Cypraea tigris) has its mantle and projecting papillae extended over its shell. The mantle secretes the shell, building it a little bit at a time. Cowries live on the reef in a small area and are often found in breeding pairs. Females sit on eggs until they hatch; newly hatched cowries look more like their snail relatives than do full grown cowries.

This cowrie was photographed in about 45 feet of water off the south Kohala Coast near Puako Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii.