Creature Feature: Spotted Knifejaw

Polished Nerite. Photo Credit: Nakoa Goo

Kūpeʻe are sea snails that live in sandy areas under boulders near the shore line. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific and hide during the day, coming out at night to feed on limu (algae) growing on the surface of rock. The shells of kūpeʻe are highly prized for their beautiful colors, and the flesh is also eaten. Kūpeʻe are used in hula as bracelets, anklets, or lei. They will hide if they can hear people talking, so they must be captured in silence. Kūpeʻe also signify knowledge that is peʻe (hidden). Some varieties of Kūpeʻe include ānuenue (rainbow), ʻeleʻele (black), kaniʻo (brown striped), mahiole (feather helmet), palaoa (ivory), puna (rare), and ʻula (red).

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