Conus tulipa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conus tulipa |
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| Five views of shell of Conus tulipa Linnaeus, C., 1758 | |
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The tulip cone (scientific name: Conus tulipa) is a type of sea snail. It's a marine gastropod, which means it's a snail that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to the Conidae family, also known as the cone snails.
Like all cone snails, the tulip cone is a predatory animal. This means it hunts and eats other creatures. It is also venomous, so it can sting. Because of this, it's very important to be careful and never touch a live tulip cone snail. Scientists have even found special substances called conopeptides in its venom. These substances are being studied for their potential uses.
What Does It Look Like?
The shell of the tulip cone snail can be between 45 mm and 95 mm long. That's about the size of a small to medium-sized hand.
Its shell has a mix of colors. You might see shades of violet and white. It also has cloudy chestnut (brown) patterns. There are many tiny rows of chestnut and white spots that go around the shell. The inside of the shell's opening, called the aperture, is often a pretty violet color.
Where Do They Live?
The tulip cone snail lives in the warm waters of the Indo-Western Pacific Ocean. You can find them in many different places, including:
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Tanzania
- India
- the Philippines
- Queensland (Australia)
What Do They Eat?
Conus tulipa snails are hunters. They prey on fishes. They use their venom to catch their food.
Images for kids
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Conus tulipa Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus tulipa Linnaeus, C., 1758
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Conus tulipa Linnaeus, C., 1758
