Beautiful Egg Cowrie 2+ The Egg Cowrie is a Gastropod. The term gastropod means stomach footed, a mollusk with a head bearing tentacles and eyes and a foot; a one piece shell. These are egg-shaped shells that are larger than many true cowries. The shell is smooth and shiny. It's thickened outer lip has a puckered inner edge and is unevenly toothed. They are always white on outside; with a chocolate-brown aperture. Historically, egg cowries have been popular for personal adornment; ancient South Pacific mariners often used these shells to decorate canoes. Habitat. Egg Cowries prefer spongy soft bodied coral; abundantly found from the East African coast to Southern Japan and south the to Northern shores of Australia and New Zealand. . Size does vary. Excellent specimens. Lot of 3. Perfect for mirrors, wreaths, wind chimes, picture frames, shell flowers, shell layer sculpture figures! This shell is limited only by your imagination. They are natural and have slight differences in stripes and spots from one to the next ! I have tried to show that with the picture. We also have a wonderful assortment of thin sliced agates available that could be combined with these. WOW how beautiful that could be. Stop in and visit our e-store for many more great choices. Will gladly give shipping discounts and or ship internationally.---------If you add us to your favorites list you will be updated by e-bay when we list new items. Don't forget to sign up for our monthly news letter !