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 Erosaria, analysis of the DNA indicates a closer relationship to Monetaria moneta and M. annulus. (Hmm, could there possibly be gene flow between these three species of Monetaria that share the same habitat?) This species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Hawaiian form has some differences that cause it to be split off as a subspecies, and it is replaced on Easter Island by the similar Monetaria caputdraconis.

Created 1 April 2008
Updated 15 December 2011

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