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Hi,

Can someone help me identify this shell I found in Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean)?



Thanks!

This is a juvenile Cypraea (cowrie shell).  Once they grow to full size, the outer lip curls inward to form the typical cowrie aperture, and the adult pattern gets laid down over the banded juvenile pattern.  I think it is probably this species, Cypraea zebra:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mUrs8_mmTUo/SuLs-7HcLYI/AAAAAAAAAIo/xEk6pg_Vwbg/s400/Cypraeazebra.jpg">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mUrs8_mmTUo/S ... azebra.jpg</a><!-- m -->

Notice that you can see the banded juvenile pattern under the spotted adult pattern.

If the shell is rather small 20-40mm, it is also can be a juvenile Cypraea cinerea (Gmelin 1791).

http://www.conchylinet.com/pagesp.php?Sp=1842

Pierre