Sea Snail Sea shell - S-308 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large predatory terrestrial 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 rim, 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. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (net-like relief) on the surface of the shell. External surface of the shell is cream, grayish, or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. 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 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 wide brown spots. During growth, the new outer lip is expanded after the whorl has rotated 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2 ½ narrow whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. Orange spindle, with 8–11 faintly defined, whitish lamellae in the lower half. Axial cavity covered. The umbilical space may sometimes contain pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions: 225/235/305 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.