How do you get a Cowrie from it's shell without damaging the shell?

Answer 1

1. Place the shells in cold water and bring slowly to the boil. Simmer for a few minutes and then allow to cool slowly. The animal should remove easily using a hooked piece of wire. This method should not be used with polished shells as the polish may be damaged.
2. Place the shells in a shopping bag and place in the freezer. Leave overnight and thaw after 4-5 days. The animal should remove easily using garden hose and spraying water. Note: Polished specimens like Cowries, Olives, Margins etc. should not be cleaned using this method as minute hairline cracks may form in the shell polish.
3. Place shells in a bucket of water and leave allowing the animal to rot away. Replace water regularly as the deteriorating animal produces acids which can damage the shell surface especially of glossy shells. After a few days you can either hose the remains out or flick the shell holding onto one end so the decomposing material runs out the other end.
4. Place shells in a plastic container filled with kerosene. If there are a large number to be cleaned insert a wire grate in the bottom of the container to keep them off the bottom. Sit the shells on top of the grate and leave for a week or 2, most of the animal will decompose and fall through the grate to sit in the bottom of the container. Remove the shells after 1/2 weeks and hose out. Polished specimens come out gleaming.
5. Bury the shells in sand or soil. Place the shells upright and cover with sand. This allows the remains to run out when the animal has decomposed. Wash out the remainder. This method is not recommended for polished shells as body acids can collect around the bottom of the shell and can damage polish.
6. Place shells in a solution of 50% sea water or water and alcohol for up to a week. The animal can be removed with a wire hook or shaken out.

---------------------------------------------------------

We used to leave them out side in Africa and the ants cleaned them out.