Cone Snail shells are a conical shape with a flat, raised or pointed spiral apex tapering to a pointed base.
They come in an amazing variety of patterns, some elaborately beautiful.
Native mainly to tropical and sub-tropical seas, all Cone Snails are toxic to prey, to predators and to humans.
The Virgin Cone Snail, native to the Indian and western Pacific Oceans (including Red Sea), is plain creamy white
with a purple area at the base. The shell reaches 5-15cm long.
Conus virgo
The Lettered Cone Snail, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has dark marks ressembling writing on a banded
cream and yellowish base. The shell reaches 2-18cm long.
Conus litteratus
Cone Snail with Bristleworm.
Striated Cone Snail
Conus striatus
There are several "Mitre" Cone Snails, this one being the Episcopal Mitre.
Mitra mitra
Episcopal Mitre Cone Snail.
Mitra mitra
The live snail protrudes from the thin end.
Does this ambitious Hermit Crab think the cone shell could be its new home?
Empty cone. They are sometimes misnamed Fighting Conch, a name usually given to Strombus conch species.