Sea Snail Sea shell - M-865 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell of Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large predatory operculate snail in the family Cassidae, one of the largest snail species. Typical species of the genus Cassis. The spire is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct spiral rows of enlargements with knobs (horns), the largest of them are on the periphery, in the upper part of the shell. Adult individuals in the top row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed knobs (horns). The two rows lower have 3–4 smaller bumps. A characteristic feature is a clear, dense hammering (net-like sculpture – on the surface of the shell). External surface of the shell cream, grayish, or whitish, with brown streaks and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral enlargements 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 pale teeth on the middle inner edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brown patches. During growth, the new outer lip is formed after the whorl has rotated 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brownish seam on the first whorl. The spire is orange, with 8–11 faint, whitish riblets in the lower half. The axial pit is covered. Sometimes pieces of corals, rocks, or shell fragments become trapped in the space of the pit, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 220/245/300 mm. I highly recommend it to collectors and interior decorators.