Sea Snail Sea shell - M-865 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large predatory prosobranch snail in 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 tubercles (horns), the largest of which 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 tubercles (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller tubercles each. A characteristic feature is a distinct, dense hammering (reticulate relief – on the surface of the shell). The outer 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 of the surface. The height of the parietal plate in adults is greater than the height of the shell. The external lip is thick, wide, with 5–7 whitish teeth along the middle inner 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 by 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2 ½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brownish seam on the first whorl. The spindle is orange, with 8–11 faint white lamellae in the lower half. The umbilical pit is covered. Sometimes pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments become trapped in the pit space, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 220/245/300 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.