Sea Snail Sea shell - S-308 CASSIS CORNUTA

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large, predatory spiral snail from the family Cassidae, one of the largest snail species. The typical species of the genus Cassis. The whorl is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct spiral rows of enlargements with nodules (horns), the largest of them on the rim, in the upper part of the shell. Adult specimens in the upper row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed nodules (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller nodules each. A characteristic feature is a pronounced, dense hammering (net-like relief) on the surface of the shell. The external surface of the shell is creamy, grayish or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. A large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- or brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral enlargements in the central part on 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 whitish teeth on the middle inner edge. On the external surface of the lip there are usually 7 broad brown spots. During the growth of the individual, 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 brownish seam on the first whorl. An orange spindle, with 8–11 faint pale lamellae in the lower half. Axial pit covered. Sometimes pieces of corals, rock, or shell fragments become trapped in the pit space, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 225/235/305 mm. I highly recommend it to collectors and interior decorators.