Find out how these pretty-looking shells could possibly pose a threat and what to do if you encounter one. The shell of the queen conch or pink conch shell ranges in size from about six inches to 12 inches in length. If you see a beautiful marine snail that looks like a cone, it is probably a cone snail. The textile and striated cones are highly venomous. Some people assume that snails do not live in the desert, but that isn’t true. Among the most toxic are the textile, geographic, and tulip snails and there is a higher risk of death if the geographic and textile snails are involved.All capture their prey by means of harpoon-like hollow teeth (radula) that are rapidly jabbed into their prey to inject the toxic venom. Conchs are mollusks, marine snails that build elaborate shells as a home and a form of protection from predators. Cone snails may look harmless but a sting from one can be lethal. The venom of fish-eating cone snail species can be fatal to humans. Since all cone snails are venomous, err on the side of safety, and do not touch it. A queen conch can grow to be over a foot long and can live for as long as 30 years—other species have been known to live to 40 or more. These include mountain areas and even marshes. This structure is called the siphon. Some prefer mangroves or sandy banks, while others prefer much deeper waters to search for other snails and fish. This species uses their venom to kill their prey by injecting them with tiny needles. At this time they are about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) in length. The cone snail lives in the Pacific ocean is prized by beachgoers for its beautifully colored shell. Danger to humans. It takes in sea water, from which the animal extracts oxygen. As live cone shells possess the capability of stinging humans with obnoxious outcomes, they should not be controlled or handled. Sea snails live in the ocean and cannot survive out of water like garden snails. The textile cone’s egg capsules contain 500-700 eggs each The capsules are laid under rocks. In fact, if food is scarce, textile cone snails will eat other cone snails. Some species have adapted to colder waters. Conus marmoreus The cone snail family (Conidae) is entirely marine and consists of approximately 500-600 living species of which about 166 occur in Australian waters (133 are recorded from Queensland). There are approximately 500 species of cone snails. If stung, seek immediate medical attention. Cones can be found under stones or coral rubble or in sand and weed depending on the preference of the species. Find out how these pretty-looking shells could possibly pose a threat and what to do if you encounter one. Cone snail habitats vary for different species. Additionally, the shape of the shell makes it difficult for crabs -- cone snails' natural enemies -- to grasp their slanted lengths. Freshwater snails are gastropod mollusks which live in fresh water.There are many different families. The shells of these cone snails mostly glitter in their own way as they are brightly colored and intricately patterned. They feed on worms, other snails and small fishes. Harpoon-like, barbed darts are released into a sack to be coated with venom, before moving up into the shell’s snout to inject into its prey. Some cone snails travel with 20 or so of these teeth embedded in their systems, loaded and ready to be fired off when the next meal happens to swim along. Cone snails are among the most venomous creatures on earth. The larvae remain pelagic for about 16 days, then settle onto substrate. A cone snail has a cone-shaped shell, a head, and tentacles. They use this to immobilise their victim, feeding on snails, worms and small fish. In its native state, cone snail venom would obviously not make a great treatment for human ailments. The cone snail often extends another tubular structure from its body, as can be seen in the videos in this article. Sometimes mistaken for Olive snails (Family Olividae) which tend to be more tapered on both ends of the shell, resulting in a more olive-like shape. The incredibly toxic venom of the geographic cone snail has to be strong enough to paralyze instantly. The snail also detects chemicals released from its prey in the water. Physical Characteristics. Hawaii has 34 species of cones, few species endemic to the islands. The snail can 'reload' a new harpoon to replace a used one. To make matters worse, there's no anti-venom for the cone snail's sting. The textile cone lives in the sand beneath coral and rocks in shallow waters. Other adaptations are shell patterns that serve as camouflage and shell thickness that preserves moisture. The body whorl is convex with rounded or slightly angled shoulders. The conus or cone snail is a sea snail. Species Overview.