Cone Snails

Well, last night I found a mystery snail eating a dead snail. I did not recognize it and assumed that it was a hitchhiker. I took it out with my hands until i could ID it. Well, it turns out to be a cone snail and they are venomous. According to the book it says "if you are stung by one of these snails, there is a good chance you will die because there is no antivenim and the venom is fast acting"

Just wanted to put an FYI out on these snails so others can watch out for them.

 

Pic!!!

 

Yes, please post a picture!!

I watched a show on these snails a few months back. It was about deadly things that we encounter day to day that seem harmless. The show was saying how these snails wash up on beaches, and people think their shells are pretty so they pick them up...and well...you get the idea. Scary!! I didn't know they would show up in home aquariums.

I'm glad you caught yours before you got hurt.

 

If I had known what it was right away I would have used a net and not my hands. i think i got lucky on that one.

I will have a photo up later tonight for when I get home. Right now he is very small. maybe a centimeter long.

 

Oh my gosh, I can't believe you used your hands!! So scary. I'm so glad you're okay.

 

Thank you. unfortunately, I never listened to my dad about putting my hands in holes that I can't see in to. I like to touch first and ask questions later. I better change that habit.

 

Sounds like you plan on keeping him? That's pretty rad. Seems like they eat snails... you plan on feeding it, etc. like it's a mantis ;D and letting it grow up? might be neat.

 

OK I need to correct this thread before it gets out of hand. NOT ALL ARE VENOMOUS. Some are and some aren't. Some just eat algae like the little bubblegum ones from the Sea of Cortez which you'll be seeing in the market again. There is another from the Sea of Cortez that is larger and is not venomous.

It's a good idea to treat them like they are venomous if you can't ID it, but, ID'ing cone shells is rather easy given the patterns they have and the fact they are HIGHLY trade in the shell world.

Only a few can kill you. This is the most venomous one around:



Conus textiles

 

Some eat fish, some eat other stuff, but not many eat snails.

 

This is what it looks like for the most part. Its pattern has a slightly more spiral look to it:



I will get a photo of it when I get home. I have it in a water bottle at the moment.