venomous Cones, any around here?

[TomH]

Does anyone have a list/photos of venomous Cone shells found in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean?

[carolinasheller]

Hi Tom,

I saw your post and wanted to send you a reply. It should be considered that ALL species of Conidae are considered poisonous, no matter how small, large, plain or pretty they are.

If you are in this area and wish to collect cones, please note that the geographical range you asked about is immense, and contains a number of Conidae species, some which are only found in a few isolated areas. Some are quite easy to obtain and can be readily collected, while others are quite uncommon and reclusive.

Here are just a handful of species which are usually found in this area and cover most of the geographical range which you inquired about>

regius
spurius
jaspideus + forms
ermineus


In my opinion, these are the most common species. They are more or less shallow water dwellers and can be found via snorkel or wading.

There are some areas in eastern Mexico where spurius are found in large numbers on a minus tide.

If you are heading to particular areas, please post here where you are going, or what you are seeking and I can try to help you the best I can. For example if you say you are going to (insert place here), I can post what species can be found there, and etc.

If you are going to the Pacific side, then you encounter another whole group of different Conidae.

If you are seeking a list of all Conidae within this geographical range, you might have to give me a few days to compile that, with some help from a few cone friends. Pictures are not a problem either, but please name the species you wish to have photos of. Thanks!

Best, Lyle Therriault

This post has been edited by carolinasheller on Oct 12 2009, 08:02 AM

[TomH]

Carolinasheller, Thanks for all the info. We tentatively plan Padre Island, TX next May. I will be snorkelling and then diving the jetties and to maybe a rig in 100+ feet. I am interested in any cowries that may be around there (as well as any other shells, particularly Tritons). I know the biggest Cowrie in the area is the Atlantic Deer Cowrie, of which I to date have none.

[carolinasheller]

HI Tom,

No problem about the reply, you are more than welcome. In the area you said you were going too, you should probably expect to find things that are fairly routine finds on many gulf beaches, especially those in Florida (similiarly). I believe folks find olives, baby's ears, venus clams, whelks, etc.

If you are going to do some diving, you might run into Hairy Tritons, and maybe a Conus sozoni = delesserti. The rig might yield some c. cervus too, like you mentioned, and probably some thorny oysters.

Here in North Carolina, the only cones found in the area are sozoni = delesserti, but only on the wrecks in and around the gulf stream. I've not heard any reports of cones being found alive on flats or sound beaches, yet it is reported in several books.

Anyways, I hope this tiny bit of info helps! Let me know if you find any nice cones, and if you have an extra to spare!

Lyle

This post has been edited by carolinasheller on Oct 14 2009, 05:36 PM

[TomH]

Thanks again. A Hairy Triton is another one I have yet to add to my collection.