Conus cancellatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conus cancellatus |
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| Views of the shell of a Conus cancellatus snail. | |
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Conus cancellatus, also known as the cancellate cone snail, is a type of sea snail. It's a marine gastropod mollusk and belongs to the family Conidae, which includes all the cone snails.
Like other cone snails, these creatures are predatory (they hunt other animals for food) and venomous (they can inject venom). Because of their venom, it's very important to be careful with live cone snails, or even better, not to touch them at all!
There are also some types, or subspecies, of this snail:
- Conus cancellatus capricorni
- Conus cancellatus finkli
Where It Lives
This snail can be found in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and around the Lesser Antilles islands.
What It Looks Like
The shell of the cancellate cone snail can grow up to 80 millimeters (about 3 inches) long.
Its shell is shaped a bit like a pear, wide at the top near the "shoulder" and getting narrower towards the bottom. The main part of the shell has many close grooves and ridges. The top part of the shell, called the spire, is raised and has a sharp tip. The shell is usually whitish with cloudy bands of light brown color. The spire also has brown spots.
Its Home
These snails live in the ocean at depths ranging from about 26 meters (85 feet) to 110 meters (360 feet) deep.
Images for kids
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A Conus cancellatus snail.
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The Conus cancellatus finkli shell, which is kept at the Smithsonian Institution.
