Callistocypraea aurantium

The Callistocypraea aurantium, known until recently as Lyncina aurantium and before as Cypraea aurantium, is a gastropod of the tropical Pacific, present between 15-20 m of depth in the madreporic formations going from the Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia to the Philippines. A rare mollusc but overall difficult to be seen because hating the light. In fact, during the day it keeps well hidden in grottoes or deep holes among corals and gets out only during the night. The splendid orange shell, can be also darker, almost brown. It’s egg-shaped and reaches the 11 cm © Giuseppe Mazza