Air New Zealand Air Points - OT: Old NZ Passport Watermark Creature

http://i46.tinypic.com/2vll0qv.jpg

I do not recall ever having seen one of those things in their natural habitat in my lifetime. It has always mystified me a bit. I assume it's some kind of native shellfish thing or seed pod? Does anyone know what it's called so I can study its habits from the comfort and safety of the internet?

http://i46.tinypic.com/2vll0qv.jpg

I do not recall ever having seen one of those things in their natural habitat in my lifetime. It has always mystified me a bit. I assume it's some kind of native shellfish thing or seed pod? Does anyone know what it's called so I can study its habits from the comfort and safety of the internet?

looks like a conch shell, but they have gone a bit OTT with the spikes on it...

I think its a spider conch

just google spiny murex or Poirieria zelandica and you will get some images of it, it also used to be on some postage stamps, back in the '70s IIRC.

Usually, by the time they wash up on the beach, the spines have broken off, but I think the image is a reasonable representation of what it looks like in good condition.

Thanks for solving the mystery!

http://www.shellauction.net/images2/0583/i0000583034a.jpg

I think I will keep my shoes on when I go to the beach from now on :D