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Why can some cone shells be dangerous to humans?
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mollusk
Mollusk shell classification chart, c. 1861.
Some cone shells are dangerous to humans because they possess a specialized mechanism to inject a potent, paralyzing toxin using a dart-like structure.1
These toxins are biologically engineered to disrupt a victim's nervous system by binding to specific ion channels and cell surface receptors. While these snails typically use their venom to capture prey such as worms, other mollusks, or fish, the larger species of the genus Conus are capable of delivering stings that have proven fatal to humans. Because of the severity of these toxins, it is essential to exercise extreme caution and respect when encountering these animals in their natural marine habitats.1