Sea Snail Sea shell - S-532 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, very large XXL shell of Cassis cornuta - the horned helmet - a species of large, predatory prosobranch 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 conspicuous spiral rows of tubercles (horns), the largest of which are on the crest, in the upper part of the shell. Adult specimens in the highest row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows lower down have 3–4 smaller tubercles each. A characteristic feature is a distinct, dense hammering (net-like sculpture) 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, yellowish- or brownish-orange in color, with two speckled, 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 outer lip is thick, broad, with 5–7 whitish teeth on the middle inner edge. On the external surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brown spots. During growth, a new 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 brownish seam on the first whorl. The orange columella, with 8–11 faintly defined, whitish ridges in the lower half. The axial pit is covered. Sometimes in the space of the pit pieces of corals, rocks, or shell fragments become trapped, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 235/235/310 mm. Highly recommended to collectors and interior decorators.