Coneshell
(Conus sp.)

Over 70 species of Coneshells occur in the warmer waters of Australia.

People who pick up Coneshells are in danger of being stung if the shellfish is still alive.

A Coneshell stings by means of thrusting out a harpoon-like dart which is dipped in poison inside the shell. The darts are 1cm.

On Hayman Island in 1935, a young man picked up a living shell and was stung. He died of respiratory paralysis 5 hours later.

Coneshells feed on fish and other shellfish. Coneshells are inoffensive unless picked up.

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