Monetaria caputserpentis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Snake Head cowry or Brownie, 16.5-41mm

Monetaria caputserpentis is an abundant cowry across most of the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans from Hawaii to East Africa. One of the three most common species in the Marshalls, it primarily inhabits the intertidal reef flat, where it lives under rocks and in depressions in the reef. They seem most abundant near the outer edge of the reef, and also live in the rough zone where the waves break on the edge of the reef. Living specimens can also be seen in the shallow subtidal zone beyond the breakers, where they live to depths of about 4m in reef pockets to help protect them from the surging wave action. Its abundance and easy accessibility has made it a popular decoration in Marshallese handicrafts. Although the shell looks more like it belongs in another genus, perhaps Mauritia or Naria, analysis of the DNA indicates a closer relationship to Monetaria moneta and M. annulus. This species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. A similar shell in Hawaii been split off by some to a separate species Monetaria caputophidii, and it is replaced on Easter Island by the similar Monetaria caputdraconis.

19.7mm, 1972

29.8mm, 1982

Created 1 April 2008
Updated 2 April 2024

Back to cowries

Kwajalein Underwater Home