Sea Snail Sea shell - S-482 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, very large XXL shell of Cassis cornuta – horned helmet – a species of large, predatory snail with an operculum from the Cassidae family, one of the largest snail species. The shell is in perfect condition with beautiful coloration. The species is typical of the genus Cassis. The whorl is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct, spiral rows of tubercles (horns); the largest of them are 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 pronounced, dense hammering (net-like relief) on the surface of the shell. The exterior surface is cream, grayish or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two speckled, spiral tubercles 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 whitish teeth along 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 1/2 narrow whorls, white, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. Spindle orange, with 8–11 faintly defined, whitish lamellae in the lower half. The siphonal canal is closed. The axial furrow is covered. Sometimes pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments get trapped in the cavity, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions: 235/240/335 mm. Highly recommended to collectors and interior decorators.