This book, Cowries of East Africa, by Tim O'Hare and Shaun Metcalfe, is intended to be a field guide. The book details over 70 species and subspecies of cowry shells found on the East African coastlines of Kenya and Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. The book also covers common cowry relatives found in the area.
Each species of cowry shell is accompanied by comprehensive colour photographs to make identification easy. It has also been possible to include some photographs of live cowry shells.
The book, fully researched and up to date, is a work in progress, especially as more photographs of live shells are obtained.
Shaun and Tim were brought up on the coast of Kenya where their interest in coral reefs began.