About Talparia talpa (Linnaeus, 1758)
This species is the cowry Talparia talpa, which is quite uncommon. The average adult shell length ranges 50–70 millimetres (2.0–2.8 in), with a minimum recorded size of 23 millimetres (0.91 in) and maximum recorded size of 105 millimetres (4.1 in). Shells are highly variable in pattern and colour. The smooth, shiny dorsum has a basic brown or yellowish brown base colour, marked with three or four yellow or light brown transverse bands. The shell margins, base, and teeth are all dark brown or black; the tooth spacing is clearer or white, contrasting with the dark teeth. Living individuals have a greyish or black mantle covered with long cylindrical papillae. The mantle and foot are well developed, and bear external antennae. The lateral flaps of the mantle can completely cover the shell surface, and can be quickly retracted back into the shell. This species is found in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean along East Africa including Aldabra, Chagos, the Comores, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, the Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania, the western Pacific including western Australia and the Philippines, Polynesia, and Hawaii. Fossils of this species have been recovered from Pliocene or Pleistocene geological strata on Guam. Talparia talpa lives on coral reefs or in shallow lagoons in tropical intertidal and subtidal waters, reaching depths of up to 30 metres. It can be found under ledges and in small coral caves at night, as it begins feeding at dusk.
