Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Clade Hypsogastropoda Scientific name Conus coccineus | Phylum Mollusca Clade Caenogastropoda Clade Neogastropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Conus aurisiacus, Conus glaucus, Conus ammiralis, Conus armadillo, Conus cinereus | ||
Conus coccineus, common name the berry cone or the scarlet cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.
Contents
Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of "stinging" humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
Description
The size of the shell varies between 27 mm and 62 mm. The thin shell has somewhat convex sides. It is encircled by striae, which are often minutely granular. The spire is moderate, sometimes gradate, striate, and obsoletely coronated. The color of the shell is orange pink, with a white central band, variegated with dark brown spots and blotches. The spire is usually maculated.
Distribution
This marine species occurs off Indonesia, New Caledonia, Palawan, the Philippines, Samar, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia (the Northern Territory, Queensland)