Cypraea tigris (85 mm

Scientific name: Cypraea tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) – in the German-speaking world known as Tiger Cowrie or Tiger Porcelain Shell. It is the undisputed icon among marine shells. Origin & Provenance: Philippines; this specimen comes from the coral-rich waters around Cebu Island. The special feature: It is a documented historical find from March 1978, which bestows the shell with a valuable legacy collection status. Habitat: Coral reefs and shallow lagoons at depths of 2 to 30 meters. The animals are predominantly nocturnal and graze on algae as well as smaller organic particles from the rocks, while they hide deep in reef crevices during the day. Size & Condition: 85 mm – a solid, fully grown and heavy cabinet-size (the species can still grow larger, but 85 mm in pristine condition presents superbly in any display case). Condition GEM (Absolute Museum and top quality): Despite being almost 50 years old, the shell has a mirror-like enamel glaze with no signs of aging. Free from storage scratches, growth defects, or chips along the edges and the aperture. The deep black tiger pattern on a white–cream background is razor-sharp. SKU Oberdiek Cypraea tigris 50

Estimate:£125.57

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