Chestnut cowry (Cypraea spadicea) ~ Dead or alive, the chestnut cowry is beautiful.  It is shiny because it is covered by a flexible skin-like layer called a mantle which has the sandy coloring with spots.  This smooth "skin" prevents other tide pool dwellers (like algae and barnacles) from attaching to the shell.  Chestnut cowries can grow to 4 inches or more and are carnivors eating anemonies, sponges, snail eggs and even squid eggs.   As beautiful as they are, do not be tempted to take one home.  Abalone Cove is a State Ecological Preserve and nothing can be removed from the tide pools.