Mauritia scurra (42 mm, top-condition GEM) – an outstanding specimen of the 'Joker-Kauri' from Taxidermy wall mount - Cypraea scurra - 4.2 cm - 0 mm - 0 mm - Non-CITES species - 1






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Specimen Mauritia scurra (Cypraea scurra), 42 mm, GEM condition, from Zanzibar, year 1980.
Description from the seller
Scientific name: Mauritia scurra (Gmelin, 1791) – in the German-speaking world known as Joker-Cowrie, Harlequin Porcelain Snail, or Mime Cowrie.
Origin & Localities: Western Indian Ocean; this top-tier specimen comes from the coral-rich waters around Zanzibar (Tanzania). Specimens from this East African region are sought after by collectors for their slender, elongated shape and the intensely contrasting, dark rim satellite spots.
Habitat: Lives well hidden inside living coral colonies (especially the genera Acropora and Pocillopora) in wave-battered reef zones at depths of 2 to 20 meters. The animals usually leave their protective colonies only at night to graze on algal growth.
Size & Condition: 42 mm – an excellent, fully mature and stately size (the average size is usually 30–40 mm; specimens at 42 mm are already considered above average in size). Condition GEM (Absolute Museum and top quality): An entirely flawless shell with a mirror-like enamel gloss, a perfectly sharp shell lip, and undamaged siphonal ends. The delicate, net-like dorsal pattern on a bluish-gray ground is faultlessly preserved.
SKU Oberdiek Cypraea scurra 50
TAGS: Nautilus, Sea Shell, Nautic, Maritime, Nautical Shells, Snails, Collectible, Rare
Seller's Story
Scientific name: Mauritia scurra (Gmelin, 1791) – in the German-speaking world known as Joker-Cowrie, Harlequin Porcelain Snail, or Mime Cowrie.
Origin & Localities: Western Indian Ocean; this top-tier specimen comes from the coral-rich waters around Zanzibar (Tanzania). Specimens from this East African region are sought after by collectors for their slender, elongated shape and the intensely contrasting, dark rim satellite spots.
Habitat: Lives well hidden inside living coral colonies (especially the genera Acropora and Pocillopora) in wave-battered reef zones at depths of 2 to 20 meters. The animals usually leave their protective colonies only at night to graze on algal growth.
Size & Condition: 42 mm – an excellent, fully mature and stately size (the average size is usually 30–40 mm; specimens at 42 mm are already considered above average in size). Condition GEM (Absolute Museum and top quality): An entirely flawless shell with a mirror-like enamel gloss, a perfectly sharp shell lip, and undamaged siphonal ends. The delicate, net-like dorsal pattern on a bluish-gray ground is faultlessly preserved.
SKU Oberdiek Cypraea scurra 50
TAGS: Nautilus, Sea Shell, Nautic, Maritime, Nautical Shells, Snails, Collectible, Rare
