Sea Snail Sea shell - S-62 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, very large XXL shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large, predatory operculate snail in the Cassidae family, one of the largest snail species. The typical species of the genus Cassis. The spire is very low. On the last whorl, there are three distinct spiral rows of knobs (horns), the largest of which are on the periphery, in the upper part of the shell. Adults in the upper row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed nodules (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller bumps. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammered pattern (net-like sculpturing) on the surface of the shell. The external surface of the shell is cream, grayish, or whitish, with brown streaks and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, colored yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral thickenings in the central part of the surface. The height of the parietal plate in adults is greater than the height of the shell. The outer lip is thick, wide, with 5–7 whitish teeth along the middle inner edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brownish spots. During growth, the new outer lip is extended after the whorl has grown 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. Orange siphuncle, with 8–11 weakly defined, whitish lamellae in the lower half. The umbilical pit is covered. Sometimes pieces of corals, rocks, or shell fragments get trapped in the umbilical space, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 220/225/310 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.