by Aliyeus J

Created on: September 08, 2010

Cone shells, also commonly called, cone snails live in tropical waters near coral reefs. They can be found in relatively shallow water, hiding in the sand, near piles of rubble, or under coral shelves. They have the physical characteristics of a typical cone shape, being wide at one end and narrow at the other, near the base. Though, cone snails are favored for their unique and intricately designed shell-housing units, they are also feared and respected for their embodiment of unique and potent venom.

As a predatory sea snail, cone shells use their venom to paralyze prey such as fish, worms, and mollusks. But given the fact that these marine gastropods come in a variety of different sizes from medium to large, even some humans have been known to sorely fall victim to the poisonous seize of larger cone shells. In some cases, bites have led to fatalities, and though the beautifully designed shells of these marine snails may be tempting to feast the eyes upon and handle, as many tourist in popular cone shell habitats will, it is simply best to leave them be.

When cone shells attack, a series of complex mechanisms set into motion. From the gastropod's radula sac, an individual tooth, which is elongated, and pointed with barbs and hooks, (it resembles a whale harpoon) is released, set forth, and delivered to the organ that will further hook the tooth into the cone snail's prey. As the cone snail has its prey locked into position by the grasp of a harpooned tooth, it will then make use of deadly venom glands that release toxins up through a tube in the tooth and into the victim.  

There have been just 30 recorded incidents of human envenomation by fish eating cone shells, and in some cases fatal. Investigations found toxins from cone shell venom to posses some surprising pharmacological qualities. Findings were so impressive in fact, that it ignited an ongoing practice of medical and scientific research on cone shell venom.   

Cone Shells and Science

There are more than 500 cone snail species, and some select scientists are now fascinated by the marine gastropods. One leading researcher on the study of cone snails, Jon-Paul Bingham, explains that each species can produce more than a hundred unique toxins, and each toxin is a potential new drug.

Scientists have studied less than one percent of cone snails, and there is fear of a projected future in the further study of the gastropods due to damage of coral reefs. Unfortunately, 26 percent of the world's reefs have been damaged beyond repair, with another 30 to 50 percent nearly degraded. If reefs continue to diminish, where will cone shells inhabit, and with no habitat for cone shells, where would such an amazing potential for new medicines go.

Through medical and scientific research, there already exists, FDA approved drugs on the market with cone-snail-venom-derived enhancements. Ziconotide, a painkiller, for example, is one such drug. But scientists are further studying, and become further engaged in the potency and complexity of the cone shells venom.

Amazingly, cone snails have evolved their toxins over millions of years, targeting specific species in specific environments. And scientists have found that no one toxin is exactly like another. Also, cone snails can alter properties of their venom at will. It is no wonder that scientific study of the gastropod's venom is of such complexity as is the creature itself. The number of different toxins cone snails have the ability to develop could absolutely have insurmountable potential. And with continued medical and scientific research, the possibilities are just mind-blowing.  

Learn more about this author, Aliyeus J.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.