Sea Snail Sea shell - S-135 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, very large XXL shell Cassis cornuta — horned helmet — a large predatory prosobranch snail from the Cassidae family, one of the largest snail species. The type species of the genus Cassis. The whorl is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct spiral rows of thickened protrusions with knobs (horns), the largest of them on the crown, in the upper part of the shell. Adults in the upper row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed knobs (horns). The two rows lower down have 3–4 smaller knobs. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (reticulate relief – on the surface of the shell). The external surface of the shell is cream, grayish, or whitish, with brown streaks and spots. Large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral thickening on 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, broad, with 5–7 pale teeth on the inner edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 wide brown spots. During growth, the new outer lip is extended after the whorl has rotated 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2 ½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. The columella is orange, with 8–11 faintly distinct, pale lamellae in the lower half. Axial groove covered. Sometimes pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments get trapped in the groove, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 210/230/295 mm. Highly recommended to collectors and interior decorators.