About Naria ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Naria ocellata is a fairly uncommon species of cowrie. On average, the shells of this species measure 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.18 in) in length, with a recorded minimum size of 14 millimetres (0.55 in) and maximum size of 57 millimetres (2.2 in). The shells have an oval shape and medium thickness. Their smooth, shiny dorsum surface is generally fawn or cream colored, marked with numerous white spots; a small number of these spots have black centers, which gives the species its specific epithet ocellata, Latin for "eyed". The base of the shell is whitish and often bears a brown blotch, while the distinct margins have various fawn spots set against a pale background. Living individuals of this species have well-developed mantles and feet. This species is distributed across the northern Indian Ocean, along the coasts of Mozambique, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, southern India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, ranging eastward to Thailand, southern Java, and Melanesia. Naria ocellata inhabits tropical and subtropical environments, found from shallow intertidal water down to 90 metres (295 ft) depth, where it feeds on algae or coral polyps.
