Sea Snail Sea shell - S-198 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis Cornuta - horned helmet – a species of large, predatory prosobranch snail in 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 (horns), the largest of which are on the periphery, in the upper part of the shell. Adult specimens on the top row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller tubercles each. A distinctive feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (net-like relief) on the surface of the shell. The outer surface of the shell is cream, grayish or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, yellowish- or brownish-orange in color, 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, broad, with 5–7 pale teeth on the middle inner edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brown spots. During growth, a new outer lip is formed after the whorl has rotated by 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2 ½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brownish seam on the first whorl. Spindle orange, with 8–11 faint white lamellae in the lower half. The axial aperture is covered. Sometimes in the space of the aperture pit pieces of corals, rocks, or pieces of shell become trapped, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions – 215/230/305 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior designers.