#pretty shells

The Hundred-Venom Harpoon

The venom of some species of cone snail (Conus spp) is made up of over a hundred unique toxins that target ion channels and can result in the rapid paralysis of prey.

This deadly cocktail is delivered via a harpoon (the second image) concealed in the snail’s proboscis (the long, finger-like thing you see in the clip above).  

Human envenomation can result in severe pain, discoloration of the affected area, swelling, and numbness. Nausea, muscle weakness, blurred vision, and paralysis may also occur.

Severe cases can result in respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, and death within two hours. 

As with its fellow mollusk, the blue-ringed octopus, first aid for cone snail envenomation involves pressure immobilization on the affected area. Further treatment is supportive, since no anti-venom for cone snail venom exists. 

Image source: Dr Bruce Livett - macro photo

                        Kohnet al. 1999. - snail harpoon

Video source: The Most Extreme

Reference:Balhara and Stolbach.2014.