Species - 80 known species in Australia
Description
They have either a very thin or thick colourful cone shaped shell of varying stripes or speckled appearance. These shells can be very attractive and because of this, may be picked up by the unwary, especially children.
Cone Shells or Cone snails as they are sometimes called have teeth like small harpoons and can penetrate clothing.
Habitat
Cone snails are predatory gastropods that inhabit mostly mud, sand flats shallow reef waters where the low and the high tides alternate
Diet
Marine organisms, worms and other molluscs.
Venom
The venom consists of numerous neurotoxic peptides and can result in the death of humans. The venom acts pre- and
post-synoptically to give rise to neurological symptoms such as weakness, lack of co-ordination and disturbed vision, hearing and speech .Severe cases may result in death secondary to respiratory muscle paralysis. Less common systemic symptoms include nausea. Local symptoms of pain, swelling and numbness are common.
Pressure immobilisation first aid should be applied and left in place until resuscitation facilities are available. This is a medical emergency. Assisted ventilation may be needed.
Tetanus prophylaxis should be updated if required.
There is at present no antivenin for cone shell stings.
