Sea Snail Sea shell - M-865 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large, predatory gastropod in the family Cassidae, one of the largest snail species. 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 them are on the whorl, in the upper part of the shell. Adults in the top row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller tubercles. A characteristic feature is a clear, dense hammering (net-like relief) 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, color yellow- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral thickenings in the central part on 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 external surface of the lip there are usually 7 wide brown spots. During growth, the outer lip is expanded after the whorl has rotated 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. Spindle orange, with 8–11 faintly defined, pale lamellae in the lower half. Axial pocket (or fossa) covered. The axial pit is sometimes occupied by pieces of coral, rocks, or shell fragments, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions – 220/245/300 mm. Highly recommended to collectors and interior decorators.