Sea Snail Sea shell - S-168 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, very large XXL shell of Cassis cornuta – horned helmet – a species of large, predatory univalve snail from the family Cassidae, one of the largest snail species. The species is the type species of the genus Cassis. The spire is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct spiral rows of tubercles with knobs (horns), the largest of which are on the whorl, in the upper part of the shell. Adults in the upper row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows lower down have 3–4 smaller knobs. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (net-like relief) on the surface of the shell. The external surface of the shell is cream, grayish or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral tubercles in the central part on the surface. The height of the parietal plate in adults is greater than the height of the shell. The external lip is thick, broad, with 5–7 whitish teeth on the middle inner edge. On the external 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 spire is orange, with 8–11 faintly defined, whitish lamellae in the lower half. The umbilical pit is covered. Sometimes in the space of the pit pieces of corals, rocks, or pieces of shell become trapped, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions – 205/220/285 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.