also: はちじょうたからがい
chocolate cowry; humpback cowry
A species of cowry (Mauritia mauritiana) with a distinctive humped shell; also known as the chocolate cowry. The name ハチジョウダカラガイ refers to its association with Hachijō Island.
See also: タカラガイ (たからがい)
The chocolate cowry is a type of sea snail found in the waters around Hachijō Island.
The shell of this humpback cowry is a glossy brown color.
宝貝 is the general term for cowry shells, while ハチジョウダカラガイ refers specifically to the chocolate cowry (Mauritia mauritiana).
Katakana spelling is common for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the word is normally written in kana.
Alternate reading variant in katakana; less common than ハチジョウダカラガイ.
The name combines 八丈 (Hachijō, referring to Hachijō Island) and 宝貝 (takaragai, 'cowry'), reflecting the species' association with the island. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.