Sea Snail Sea shell - M-865 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large predatory terrestrial snail from the Cassidae family, 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 swellings with knobs (horns), the largest of them 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 knobs (horns). Two rows lower have 3–4 smaller nodes each. A characteristic feature is the distinct, dense hammering (net-like sculpture) on the surface of the shell. The outer surface of the shell is creamy, grayish or whitish, with brown streaks and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, yellowish- or brownish-orange in color, with two spotted, spiral thickenings in the central part of its 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 pale teeth on the inner middle edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad 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 brownish seam on the first whorl. The orange columella, with 8–11 weakly defined, pale lamellae in the lower half. The axial groove (axial pit) is covered. Sometimes pieces of coral, rocks, or shell fragments become trapped in the pit space, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions: 220/245/300 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.