Cone Snail

ocean · venomous · predator · mollusc

Tiny but toxic. Cone snails are small sea snails, but they pack one of the strongest venoms in the entire ocean. A single cone snail has enough venom to kill multiple people, making it one of the ocean's most dangerous creatures.

Lightning-fast hunters. Cone snails are predators that shoot a venomous harpoon-like tooth at fish and other prey to paralyze them instantly. This venom is so fast-acting that their victims don't even have time to escape.

Hidden in shells. These snails hide inside beautiful, cone-shaped shells with colorful patterns and stripes. Their pretty appearance hides how dangerous they really are, which is why people need to be very careful around them in the ocean.

Medical superstars. Scientists study cone snail venom to understand how it works and to create new medicines for pain relief and other diseases. The venom's power to affect nerves makes it valuable for helping people who are sick or in pain.

Ocean floor dwellers. Cone snails live in warm ocean waters, hiding in sand and among rocks in shallow and deep areas. They are most common in tropical and subtropical seas around coral reefs.