Thanks for posting this video. It was really amazing and brought back great memories of shelling while SCUBA diving in Hawaii and Guam back in the 80's
Hey Scott, loved this video. I can really relate to it. I was TDY on Enewetak Atoll in the late 70's. I was a part of the radiation cleanup project. I loved walking the reefs and finding cowries. I saw a lot of the ones you have on your video, but not all. It really brings back old memories. Thanks for posting this. I will subscribe and hope you post more videos of cowries. Thanks
That is an absolutely amazing video! I have the book, A Guide to Collecting Seashells in Kwajalien Atoll (I've had it for like 25 years). It's an older book, but several of those cowries are listed as being very rare locally. I wonder if their frequency has changed or just better scuba access? Also, I thought only military personnel could go to Kwajalein. Is that true? I would love to visit if non-military can go there as well. Scott, thank you VERY much for the video. It really made my day.
Thanks, Douglas. Glad you enjoyed it. I remember when the two authors were working on A Guide to Collecting Seashells in Kwajalein Atoll back in the late 1960s. We learned a lot about habitats and locations in the years following and added to the list of species known from there. It is up to about 62 now,. If you haven't seen my website, you can see living still photos of most of them there. www.underwaterkwaj.com/shell/cowry/cowries.htm. As for visiting Kwaj, it is possible but complicated. It requires an on island sponsor to submit paperwork to the army requesting the visit. The paperwork includes some personal information, including SSN (I have no idea why). Then the sponsor needs to find a place for the visitor to stay. There are a few rooms available in a transient hotel, but people on official business TDY have priority and can cause an unofficial visitor reservation to be taken away at the last minute. They don't make it easy. I've been gone for some years now, and the one thing I don't miss is dealing with all the crazy regulations that come with living on an army base.
Thank you Scott. I've been to a couple of other tropical Pacific locations (Fiji, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Australia) but Kwajalein has always boon on my list. A 'sponsor' eh? Not sure I have that kind of clout, but the dream remains. Your videos are INCREDIBLE. As much as I love Conchology, seeing the living organism very special to me. I'm actually a Biology Professor (Microbiologist though) and really appreciate the effort and your generosity showing these videos. Look forward to watching more (as my semester winds down). Cheers!
Depends on who you use as an authority. Several hundred certainly, although only about 62 different kinds at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, where this video was taken.
It's hard to believe there are so many amazing species in one location. Thanks for the edit.
Thanks for posting this video. It was really amazing and brought back great memories of shelling while SCUBA diving in Hawaii and Guam back in the 80's
I just love seeing the movements, colors and textures of the living animals. Thank you for this wonderful video!
Hey Scott, loved this video. I can really relate to it. I was TDY on Enewetak Atoll in the late 70's. I was a part of the radiation cleanup project. I loved walking the reefs and finding cowries. I saw a lot of the ones you have on your video, but not all. It really brings back old memories. Thanks for posting this. I will subscribe and hope you post more videos of cowries. Thanks
Beautiful video
Well show. Good information.
Wonderful & amazing video, I've always wanted to see a live cowrie
Very good video👍
Impressive photography. Some of the most beautiful Cypraea species.
Bravo. Incredible to see so many species... even deep water ones like the golden cowrie.Kwaj must still be pristine.
You have done a great job with this video. Loved it!
Very lovely footage :)
Meus parabéns por esse vídeo lindíssimo!
I love cowries and seashells... Hope to see more of ur videos
what incredible variety all in one area.
So many beautiful species
Just beautiful 😍
Stunning 😍
Amazing Diversity ! Great video :D
Beautiful👌
Tnx sir
Beautiful
Amazing stuff.. Wish it was 7 hours xD
That is an absolutely amazing video! I have the book, A Guide to Collecting Seashells in Kwajalien Atoll (I've had it for like 25 years). It's an older book, but several of those cowries are listed as being very rare locally. I wonder if their frequency has changed or just better scuba access? Also, I thought only military personnel could go to Kwajalein. Is that true? I would love to visit if non-military can go there as well.
Scott, thank you VERY much for the video. It really made my day.
Thanks, Douglas. Glad you enjoyed it. I remember when the two authors were working on A Guide to Collecting Seashells in Kwajalein Atoll back in the late 1960s. We learned a lot about habitats and locations in the years following and added to the list of species known from there. It is up to about 62 now,. If you haven't seen my website, you can see living still photos of most of them there. www.underwaterkwaj.com/shell/cowry/cowries.htm.
As for visiting Kwaj, it is possible but complicated. It requires an on island sponsor to submit paperwork to the army requesting the visit. The paperwork includes some personal information, including SSN (I have no idea why). Then the sponsor needs to find a place for the visitor to stay. There are a few rooms available in a transient hotel, but people on official business TDY have priority and can cause an unofficial visitor reservation to be taken away at the last minute. They don't make it easy. I've been gone for some years now, and the one thing I don't miss is dealing with all the crazy regulations that come with living on an army base.
Thank you Scott. I've been to a couple of other tropical Pacific locations (Fiji, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Australia) but Kwajalein has always boon on my list. A 'sponsor' eh? Not sure I have that kind of clout, but the dream remains. Your videos are INCREDIBLE. As much as I love Conchology, seeing the living organism very special to me. I'm actually a Biology Professor (Microbiologist though) and really appreciate the effort and your generosity showing these videos.
Look forward to watching more (as my semester winds down).
Cheers!
Are these taken in real time or are they sped up? I assume the later.
All real time.
total how many types of cowrie shells are there?
Depends on who you use as an authority. Several hundred certainly, although only about 62 different kinds at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, where this video was taken.
❤🇲🇭