Beachgoers are being advised to steer clear of a particular type of shell known as the cone snail, which may look harmless but is actually one of the ocean’s most dangerous creatures
Beach visitors are being warned not to touch or pick up a particular type of shell known as the cone snail, as its venom is powerful enough to cause instant paralysis and, in severe cases, even death.
Cone snails are easily recognisable by their uniquely shaped shells, which are narrow at the base and gradually widen towards the other end, featuring distinctive spirals or coils. These shells often boast striking colours and intricate patterns, making them attractive to collectors and curious beachgoers alike. However, despite their beautiful appearance, experts caution that handling these creatures is extremely dangerous.
There are estimated to be between 600 and 700 different species of cone snails, all belonging to the family Conidae. Remarkably, every one of these species is venomous, capable of delivering a potent toxin through a specialised hunting mechanism.
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Cone snails are skilled predators. They hunt by using a harpoon-like tooth called a radula, which extends from their mouth like a long, flexible tube. This radula rapidly injects venom into prey such as fish, worms, or other molluscs, quickly immobilising them.
One person who experienced just how serious cone snails can be is Becky Lee, who shared her story after finding a cone snail on a beach in Japan. Becky posted a warning video on TikTok describing the terrifying experience of unknowingly handling one of these deadly creatures.
“I was playing with one of the most venomous animals in the ocean, which can cause full paralysis or even death,” Becky explained in her viral post. She shared an unsettling “fun fact” about the cone snail’s nickname, the “cigarette snail,” which comes from an urban legend claiming that after being stung, you only have enough time to light a cigarette before losing consciousness.
Becky described the sting’s sensation, saying: “It can feel like a burning fire at the sting site, or sometimes it feels like nothing at all.” For her, the uncertainty was agonising, as she spent the next 72 hours in constant fear, unsure if she had been poisoned.
One of the most frightening aspects of a cone snail sting is that there is no antivenom available, meaning victims are left hoping and praying for survival while receiving medical care.
Thankfully, Becky was not stung, and she considers herself lucky that the snail did not feel threatened enough to defend itself. Her experience serves as a crucial reminder: not every pretty shell found on the beach is harmless.
She concluded with a simple but powerful piece of advice for anyone who encounters a cone snail: “If it’s a cone snail, leave it alone.”
While the radula is primarily used to hunt and paralyse the snail’s usual prey, humans can be accidentally jabbed by stepping on or picking up the snail. These creatures are commonly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters, often near coral reefs, buried in sand, or hiding beneath coral ledges. Some species also live in mangrove environments.
Cone snails vary significantly in size, ranging from as small as half an inch to as large as nine inches or more. They can be grouped based on their diets into three categories: molluscivores, which eat other mollusks; piscivores, which prey on fish; and vermivores, which feed on worms.
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