Cone Shells / Karakot
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Cone Shells / Karakot
Venomous marine life
Conus striatus
Cone shells ("karakot" is the Chamoru term generally used for all shells found in the ocean, venomous or not) are distinctively shaped mollusks that have an efficient venom apparatus used to immobilize prey. This apparatus consists of a venom sack and duct that leads to a series of barbed darts. The darts are actually modified teeth located at the end of a long extensible organ called the proboscis. The proboscis is used to probe for prey as well as thrust the dart into the prey. Cone shells are gastropods, that is mollusks with a single spiral shell. Like most other gastropods they lay their eggs in segmented cases under rocks.
There are at least 70 kinds of cone shells on Guam. All are venomous, but only a few are considered dangerous. Most kinds of cone shells feed on worms and other small invertebrates. These generally have a weak venom that is not effective against humans. A few cone shells feed on small fishes and other mollusks. These have a potent venom and are capable of inflicting dangerous, even fatal wounds. Although the animal of the cone shell will generally withdraw into the shell when handled, the proboscis is extensible enough to reach any part of the shell so there is no completely safe way to handle one.
Geography cone / Conus geographicus
The most dangerous species of cone shells found on Guam are the geography cone (Conus geographus), striated cone (Conus striatus), textile cone (Conus textile), banda cone (Conus bandanus), and tulip cone (Conus tulipa).
Cone shells are an important component of the reef community as well as popular with shell collectors. Like all marine animals they should be treated with respect and not needlessly harmed or taken. If you collect shells, take only one or two of each kind that are in good condition and leave the rest to sustain the population.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
