Death by Snail: The Poisonous Sting of a Cone Snail

Many dangers lie in the ocean waters we explore on a regular basis. We can only know a few of these dangers before we go into the water and so we prepare for those very thoughtfully. Some dangers however we can never prepare for, the ocean is big and full of wonder; which also means full of potential hazards. Many people like to explore the waters of Florida. Of course something we know that is a danger in Florida is the sharks that attack on the beach. Every year there are many shark attacks, but something else poses as a danger in the waters of Florida. This danger is as small as a snail; in fact it is a snail. Not your ordinary snail, but this is known as the cone snail. The cone snail has a cone shaped shell, a very fleshy foot, tentacles, and a head. They are often found in the Caribbean, Red seas, and off the coast of Florida. They are not typically aggressive in nature. A sting by a cone snail usually occurs when divers and tourists handle these seemingly harmless creatures. They are unlikely to be found in shallow waters and their shells found on beaches are considered treasures in Florida. They can range from less than an inch to 9 inches in size. The snail can unwind itself and come out of its shell and stabs the prey. The stinger is sharp and venomous. They usually hunt other snails and fish.