CONE SNAIL (CONUS GEOGRAPHUS)

Cone Snail is a colorful snail that seems harmless but possesses extremely toxic venom. They often appear in tropical seas and especially in China, hiding under coral reefs, sand, and rocks on the seabed. Currently, in the world, 1000 species of Cone Snail have been discovered and 70 species have appeared in China. Cone Snail has colorful colors and possesses many different shapes. Their distinctive feature is the cone-shaped shell, hence the name "Cone Snail".

Each species of Cone Snail will have its venom formula, but in general, they possess a poison made up of a mixture of conus peptides, which have psychoactive effects. Because of their beautiful colors, many people are attracted to them and mistake them for ornamental snails, causing risks. The venom of some small Cone Snail species is not too scary, but the venom of some large species can be fatal. Victims will experience severe pain, swelling, vomiting,... Possible muscle paralysis, respiratory failure,... leading to death.

Although moving very slowly, venom is a very powerful weapon of Cone Snail in the process of hunting. They often bury themselves in the sand with only their mouths and tentacles exposed in the sand, waiting for their prey to pass and injecting poison into their prey. The prey is instantly paralyzed for a few seconds and dies.

Location: Distributed in the tropics.

Habitat: Live in the sand, among coral reefs or boulders, under the sea.

Length: < 23cm.

Venom’s power: Symptoms of poisoning occur immediately or after a few days, can be fatal.

Toxins: Peptit.