Cypraecassis rufa
| Cypraecassis rufa | |
|---|---|
| Ventral view of a shell of Cypraecassis rufa, anterior end facing downwards | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Cassidae |
| Genus: | Cypraecassis |
| Species: | C. rufa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cypraecassis rufa | |
| Synonyms | |
Cypraecassis rufa is a species of large sea snail, a predatory marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cassidae. It is commonly known as the "bullmouth shell" or "red helmet shell", and also as the "cameo shell". Other names in English include bull's-mouth conch, red helmet and cameo shell. In German it is called "Rote Porzellanschnecke", "Rote Helmschnecke" or "Feuerofen"; and in Japanese, "マンボウガイ". It was classified in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, who described it as Buccinum rufum.
The shell of the snail is notable for being a historically popular choice for the production of shell cameos due to its thick shell wall.