The serpent's-head cowry or snakehead cowry is a species of cowry with a wide distribution including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, tropical Indo-West Pacific, Australia and the Philippines. This sea snail lives on corals, rock reefs and rocky shores from the intertidal zone down to depths of 200 m. The basic color of the shell is reddish-brown, with many whitish dots on the top of the dorsum, which sometimes shows a clear longitudinal line. The underside is light beige.
Natural polished Snakehead Cowrie shell with distinctive mottled markings. Fished from licensed Indo-Pacific sources for crafts, jewelry and interior/exterior decoration.
Sold per 100 gram (approximately) and are randomly scooped and packed per 100 gram. Shell sizes vary from 1.5 to 3cm long. 100 grams usually contains anything between 18 to 23 shells depending on each individual shell size..... As we have already said they are scooped randomly.
Please note we try to remove any shells that are severely damaged or fragments of shell when packing but you may find the odd one. We do over pack to compensate for any damaged shells.
It is a natural product so may have nicks, chips and scratches.
Environmental Note:
With our increasingly sophisticated lifestyles aided by modern technology we are forging an ever growing demand on our fragile world's natural resources. Alongside our desire to learn about and collect natural objects, it is essential not to lose sight of our mandate to manage and care for all our natural wonders - seashells are by no means the least of them.
The biggest threat to seashells is the destruction of habitat, with pollution being the number one killer. We dump vast quantities of sewage, rubbish and industrial waste into our oceans. Tough controls are required if we are to sustain our natural marine resources for future generations.
In recent years a convention on international endangered species (CITES) was formed. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants (Including marine life) does not threaten their survival.
Our suppliers take pride in recycling over 99% of their shell products from audited, sustainable fishing activities. It is their mandate to only work with responsible sources and through understanding and knowledge bring shells to today's generation without endangering species for generations to come.