- Courtesy of NSF
Cone snails are one of the most venomous creatures on earth. Among the most toxic are the textile, geographic, and tulip snails and there is a higher risk of death if the geographic and textile snails are involved. All capture their prey by means of harpoon-like hollow teeth (radula) that are rapidly jabbed into their prey to inject the toxic venom. Attacks on humans usually occur when a cone snail is either stepped on in the ocean or picked up from the water or the beach.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Throughout the Indo-Pacific region, Australia, and the Indian Ocean from eastern Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia.
- Amazing Facts
The venom of the textile shell is very toxic and the sting is known to have caused human fatalities.
- At the Aquarium
Live cone snails are not on exhibit. There is a display of shells with graphics in the Aquarium's Tropical Pacific Gallery.