That patterned shell might look pretty but some cone snails can deliver a venomous sting strong enough to paralyze or even kill. There’s no antivenom, so if you spot one: don’t touch it. Have you heard of venomous sea snails before? VC: @beckyleeinoki #medical #health #healthtips #marinelife #venomouscreatures #conesnail | Kunal Sood, MD

The deadly cone snail: How its sting works

Always be careful when picking up cone snails. While our cone snails in SW Florida are not deadly, they are still venomous and can sting you. It’s very rare that we see any that are alive here in this area but if you’re shelling after a hurricane or storm, exercise caution. I never thought this one would be alive, it was the first one I’d ever seen with the mollusk still inside. I quickly returned it to where I found it. The heavy periostracum (black skin-like covering) should have been a clue.

Meet The Cone Snail, The Beautiful-But-Deadly Sea Mollusk With A Painless Sting