Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Clade Hypsogastropoda Scientific name Conus spurius | Phylum Mollusca Clade Caenogastropoda Clade Neogastropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Conus mus, Conasprella jaspidea, Conus regius, Conus daucus, Conasprella centurio | ||
Conus spurius, common name the alphabet 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.
Distribution
This marine species occurs from East Florida to Venezuela; also off the West Indies.
Description
The maximum recorded shell length is 80 mm. The shell is white, with revolving series of spots and irregular or cloud-like markings of orange, chestnut or chocolate, often forming interrupted bands. The base of the shell is grooved. The spire shows a single broad sulcus.
Habitat
Minimum recorded depth is 0 m. Maximum recorded depth is 64 m.