Lyncina lynx (Linnaeus, 1758)
Lynx cowry, 27-63mm

Lyncina lynx is a common medium-sized cowry found primarily under rocks on shallow lagoon subtidal interisland reefs and some reef-type pinnacles (for example, the one called Mar Fill head near Kwajalein). We have seen them down to a depth of approximately 13m. Smaller specimens are usually found intertidally under rocks. Full adults have a bluish purple cast over the dorsum; specimens simply white to tan with brown spots are slightly subadult.

The hard shell of these snails is obviously not protection from all crushing predators.

54.2mm, 29 May 2000

49.75mm, March 1973

Created 1 April 2008
Updated 25 February 2020

Back to cowry thumbnails

Kwajalein Underwater Home