Family: Cypraeidae
Cowries live under rocks in the warm tropical sea such as is found around the Bahamas. They come out at night to eat algae. The outside of the shell has a very smooth, polished appearance. This is because the mollusk inside has a covering called a mantle which wraps around the shell.
Cool Fact: Cowries have been used as money, as jewelry, as religious symbols and in art since man discovered them.