Conus leopardus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conus leopardus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| A shell of Conus leopardus, anterior end towards the bottom of the image | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The leopard cone, also known as Conus leopardus, is a type of sea snail. It's a fascinating ocean creature that belongs to a group called cone snails. These snails are known for their beautiful, often colorful shells.
Like all cone snails, the leopard cone is a predatory animal. This means it hunts and eats other small sea creatures. It's also venomous, which means it has a special sting that can deliver venom. Because of this, it's very important to be careful and never touch a live leopard cone.
About the Leopard Cone Snail
The leopard cone gets its name from the spotted patterns on its shell, which look a bit like a leopard's spots! These snails are part of the Conidae family, which includes many different kinds of cone shells.
How Big Do They Get?
The shell of an adult leopard cone can be quite large. They usually grow to be between 50 mm (about 2 inches) and 222 mm (nearly 9 inches) long. That's about the size of your hand, or even bigger!
Where Do Leopard Cones Live?
Leopard cones live in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific Region. This huge area includes many different places. You can find them near islands like Aldabra, Madagascar, and Mauritius. They also live off the coast of Tanzania and in parts of Australia, including Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia.
Gallery
-
Conus leopardus (Röding, P.F., 1798)
-
Conus leopardus (Röding, P.F., 1798)
-
Conus leopardus (Röding, P.F., 1798)
