Tiger Egg Cowry

Cuspivolva tigris

Cuspivolva tigris is a small sea snail that typically reaches a length of about 1.5 cm. Its shell is characterized by a yellow to orange color and an oblong shape, featuring fine lateral grooves. The mantle can completely cover the shell and is similarly colored with yellowish to orange hues, adorned with lateral white lines. The foot of the snail mirrors the mantle's color, dotted with small black spots, which can help divers identify it among other similar species in the family Ovulidae. This species is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, thriving in a benthic environment. It inhabits depths ranging from 18 to 70 meters, often residing in various habitats such as coral reefs, rocky reefs, and lagoons. The Tiger Egg Cowry feeds on small invertebrates, utilizing its specialized mouthparts to graze on its food sources. Cuspivolva tigris reproduces through a broadcast spawning method, where embryos develop into planktonic larvae before maturing into adults. Encountering this species while diving can be a unique experience, as they may be found camouflaged against their surroundings, making them less conspicuous to divers. The conservation status of this species is currently listed as Not Evaluated, indicating that there is insufficient data to assess its population trends.