Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Clade Hypsogastropoda Scientific name Conus locumtenens | Phylum Mollusca Clade Caenogastropoda Clade Neogastropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Conus encaustus, Conus eximius, Conus iodostoma, Conus mucronatus, Conus | ||
Conus locumtenens, common name the vice admiral 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 an adult shell varies between 30 mm and 66 mm. The spire is channeled and concavely elevated. The color of the shell is yellowish or pink-white, with a network of chestnut or chocolate. It is sometimes indistinctly banded, with lines of spots on the bands. The aperture is generally rose-tinted.
Distribution
This species occurs in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean off Somalia.
Gallery
Below are several color forms: