Conus trigonus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conus trigonus |
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| Views of the shell of the Trigonal Cone Snail | |
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The Conus trigonus, also known as the trigonal cone, is a type of sea snail. It's a marine gastropod mollusk that belongs to the family Conidae, which includes all the cone snails.
Like all cone snails, these creatures are hunters and venomous. This means they can sting humans. Because of this, it's very important to be careful if you ever see one. It's best not to touch them at all.
There was once a subspecies called Conus trigonus adami. However, scientists now consider it a separate species, Conus adami Wils, 1988.
About the Trigonal Cone Snail
Scientists group living things into categories. This is called taxonomy. Sometimes, different species are very similar. For a while, Conus adami was thought to be a subspecies or even the same as Conus trigonus.
Conus trigonus lives in shallow waters off Northwest Australia. Conus adami lives in deeper waters off Northern Australia. They can be found in the same areas, like near Darwin. Some snails even look like a mix of both. For now, scientists list them as two different species.
What the Shell Looks Like
The shell of the trigonal cone snail can be between 40 mm (about 1.5 inches) and 92 mm (about 3.6 inches) long. It has a somewhat triangular shape and grooves near its bottom.
The top part of the shell, called the spire, is a bit flat. It has five grooves and a sharp tip, which is called the apex. The shell is usually white. It has reddish-brown stains and bands. Many thin, delicate lines wrap around it. The spire also has a checkered pattern.
Where the Trigonal Cone Snail Lives
You can find the trigonal cone snail in the waters from North West Cape in Western Australia all the way to the Northern Territories.
