Sea Snail Sea shell - S-331 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta – horned helmet – a species of large, predatory sinistral snail from 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 on the crown, 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 conspicuous, 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 yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral tubercles in the central part on 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 a new outer lip is extended after the whorl has rotated by 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. The columella is orange, with 8–11 faint, whitish ridges in the lower half. Axial notch/axial pit covered. Sometimes pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments get trapped in the notch space, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions – 210/220/285 mm. Highly recommended to collectors and interior decorators.