{"product_id":"macrocypraea-cervus-deer-cowrie-115-8-mm","title":"Macrocypraea cervus – Deer Cowrie – 115.8 mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am pleased to offer this impressive specimen of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMacrocypraea cervus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Linnaeus, 1771), commonly known as the Deer Cowrie. This large specimen displays an attractive warm tan to caramel coloration overlaid with numerous creamy white spots and blotches. The shell retains excellent natural gloss, a broad aperture, and strong, well-developed dentition characteristic of mature examples of this iconic Caribbean species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen was personally collected from the Dry Tortugas, Florida, during commercial lobster fishing operations aboard the F\/V AVA PILAR.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Data\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cypraeidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMacrocypraea cervus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Linnaeus, 1771)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Deer Cowrie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Baited Lobster Trap (180–200 ft.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e August 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Randy Rivera\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 115.8 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTSC #:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0367CYP-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent overall condition with strong natural gloss, attractive coloration, and well-preserved teeth and margins. The shell presents beautifully and displays the classic patterning and proportions sought after by collectors of large Caribbean cowries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrade:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e F+++\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Deer Cowrie is the largest cowrie species found in the western Atlantic and Caribbean region. Large, high-quality specimens such as this one are increasingly difficult to obtain and remain highly desirable among serious cowrie collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen was personally collected from deep-water lobster gear set in the Dry Tortugas at depths of approximately 180–200 feet. Deep-water collected examples often exhibit exceptional preservation and are seldom encountered compared to shallow-water specimens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortugas Shell Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare and unusual shells personally collected from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Thank you for supporting Tortugas Shell Collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48764243017972,"sku":"367","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/IMG-6150.png?v=1782228709","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/macrocypraea-cervus-deer-cowrie-115-8-mm","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}