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Geographic Cone Snail

Conus geographus

The geographic cone is also known by the name Anbonia, a name derived from its discovery in the Gulf of Anbonia in Indonesia. This fairly large cone is the most dangerous of the cone shell species.

Geographic Cone Snail on rocks

Credit: Courtesy NIGMS

SPECIES IN DETAIL

Geographic Cone Snail

Conus geographus

CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now

CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable

At the Aquarium

This species is not currently on exhibit at the Aquarium.

Geographic Distribution

Tropical Indo-Pacific region, Australia.

Habitat

Geographic cones live in sand pockets near reef edges, under dead coral rubble or among coral reefs.

Physical Characteristics

This beautiful cone has a lightweight and thin but not fragile shell. Slightly glossy, the shell is oval and cylindrical with parallel sides that constrict to a narrower base. The body of the shell has slightly angled depressions that resemble wrinkles. The aperture is wide at the bottom. The shoulder of the shell is wide and angled, with a low spire and rounded coronations.

The background color is some variation of white, cream, pink or blue, heavily covered with fine brownish lines and irregular brownish blotches.

Size

The geographic cone snail is 7-15 cm (2.8-6 in) in length.

Diet

They are nocturnal piscivores. They feed at night by stunning and capturing several small fish that they store internally. After gathering enough for a meal, they eat them individually.

Reproduction

Follow this link for additional information on cone snails.

Special Notes

Geographic cone snails are known to have caused a number of human deaths. Their long and highly expendable proboscis is capable of reaching any part of its shell, which means it cannot be safely picked up by hand.

SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry

Geographic Cone Snail

Conus geographus

CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now

CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable

This species is not currently on exhibit at the Aquarium.

Tropical Indo-Pacific region, Australia.

Geographic cones live in sand pockets near reef edges, under dead coral rubble or among coral reefs.

This beautiful cone has a lightweight and thin but not fragile shell. Slightly glossy, the shell is oval and cylindrical with parallel sides that constrict to a narrower base. The body of the shell has slightly angled depressions that resemble wrinkles. The aperture is wide at the bottom. The shoulder of the shell is wide and angled, with a low spire and rounded coronations.

The background color is some variation of white, cream, pink or blue, heavily covered with fine brownish lines and irregular brownish blotches.

The geographic cone snail is 7-15 cm (2.8-6 in) in length.

They are nocturnal piscivores. They feed at night by stunning and capturing several small fish that they store internally. After gathering enough for a meal, they eat them individually.

Follow this link for additional information on cone snails.

Geographic cone snails are known to have caused a number of human deaths. Their long and highly expendable proboscis is capable of reaching any part of its shell, which means it cannot be safely picked up by hand.