The Coffee Cone, Leaden Cone (Conus coffeae) is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cone snails. Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are known for their beautiful and often highly patterned shells, and their shells are often collected by shell collectors.
Description & Characteristics
Conus coffeae is a relatively small cone snail, with an average adult size of 30-40 mm. The shell is typically conical, with a pointed apex and a wide, flared aperture. The shell surface is smooth and glossy, often with a light brown to dark brown color. The shell may be ornamented with fine spiral grooves or bands of color.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Coffee Cone, Leaden Cone (Conus coffeae) is typically found in shallow, tropical waters. This species is common in the Indo-Pacific region, and is known to inhabit areas with sandy or rocky substrates. Conus coffeae is often found in the intertidal zone and subtidal zone, and can be found at depths of up to 20 meters.
Taxonomy
The species Conus coffeae belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Conidae.
Feeding
Conus coffeae, like all cone snails, are carnivorous. They are predatory snails that use a venomous harpoon-like structure called a radula to capture and paralyze their prey. Conus coffeae typically feeds on worms, which they inject with a toxic venom.
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