Sea Snail Sea shell - M-865 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell of 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 swellings with tubercles (horns), the largest of them are on the periphery, in the upper part of the shell. Adult specimens in the top row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows lower have 3–4 smaller nodules. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (net-like sculpture) on the surface of the shell. The outer surface of the shell is creamy, grayish or whitish, with brown streaks and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, yellowish- or brownish-orange in color, with two spotted, spirally thickened areas 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 outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brown spots. During growth, a new outer lip is extended 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. The columella is orange, with 8–11 poorly defined, whitish ridges in the lower half. The axial socket is covered. Sometimes in the pit space are trapped pieces of coral, rock, or shell fragments, which rattle when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 220/245/300 mm. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.