Family: Cypraeidae. There are over 250 known species living in warm sea areas. Cowries live under rocks and feed on algae at night. The exterior of the shell is smooth and highly polished. This is because the animal has a covering called a mantle, which wraps around the entire shell. Each animals mantle is brilliantly colored and is often more interesting than the shell itself. The mantle actually has finger-like projections all over it making the shell look like a sponge. When the mantle is touched, the animal withdraws, exposing the shell underneath.