The cowrys.org Archive site Video Page.


Here are quick links to the videos posted on makuabob's YouTube video area.
[Video editor's note: Some of these videos were 'pushed' to make them more viewable on computer displays.]


Before to the 'main event.'

The larger Cypraea teres will be involved in the 'action' later; the
smaller one here wanders away before the 'fight.'
Two Cypraea teres Gmelin, 1791 get into it with one another!

What sparks the action? Is it territorial instinct, setting the 'pecking order,'
or could it be courtship?? Straight though action; no editing!

After the 'other' leaves...

Once the 'loser' moves away, 'Raging Bull' doesn't quit lashing out.
Also watch as the mantle lobe moves up and down.
A half dozen live Cypraea teres...

Varying levels of activity in six different C. teres.
Good views of mantles, eyes, tentacles,... most external anatomical features of a cowry.

"Crossbreed" nucleus-granulata w/ 3 granulata

The same 'crossbreed' nucleus-granulata with other cowries
collected on that same North Shore, O'ahu, night dive.
The living animal that was the Cypraea ?? (nucleus-granulata mix-up)

Taken on the North Shore of O'ahu in May of 1990.

Cowry disrespect,... or a coincidence?

It may be that Nature called,... or, maybe, Cypraea teres has no
respect for the Cypraea fimbriata that got in its way.
Live Cypraea teres from North Shore of O'ahu...

Yet another of the live-collected cowries from that North Shore
night dive. Its Visual Database ID is TER667.

Cypraea vitellus laying eggs (aquarium)

It seems fairly obvious that the Cypraea vitellus uses its foot to attach
and shape a cluster of just-laid eggs to the aquarium wall. Some close
views, also, of the mantle and shell.
Compare mantles of 'kissing cousin' cowries...

Are these two animals really that much different than two individual
human being might be? Enough so that one can say with certainty that
they are totally seperate species? (Cypraea sulcidentata is on the upper
left; the other is C. schilderorum)