Conus
Conus is a genus of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Conidae, the cone snails. These snails are known for their beautiful, often colorful, and highly variable shells. They are also venomous, possessing a harpoon-like structure in their proboscis that they use to paralyze and kill their prey, primarily other marine invertebrates such as worms, fish, and other molluscs.
Common Names
Cone snails are commonly referred to as "cone shells," "cone snails," or simply "cones."
Characteristics
Conus species exhibit a wide range of shell shapes and sizes, but they generally share certain characteristics. Their shells are typically conical, with a pointed apex and a wide aperture. They have a distinct operculum, a hard plate that seals the aperture when the snail retracts into its shell.
Cone snails are carnivorous and possess a unique hunting strategy. Their proboscis, a long, flexible tube, is equipped with a harpoon-like structure called a radula tooth. This tooth is barbed and coated with venom, which paralyzes the prey. When a cone snail encounters its prey, it shoots out the radula tooth and injects the venom, quickly incapacitating the victim.
The venom of cone snails is a complex mixture of neurotoxins and other bioactive compounds. Some species produce venom that is particularly potent and can be dangerous to humans. It is important to handle cone snails with caution and to avoid touching them.
Environments
Cone snails are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They inhabit a variety of marine environments, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and sandy bottoms. They are generally found in shallow waters, but some species can occur at depths of several hundred meters.