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king helmet

marine snail
Also known as: Cassis tuberosa

Quick Summary

The king helmet (Cassis tuberosa) is a marine snail belonging to the family Cassidae. These snails are characterized by their large, thick shells, which feature a shieldlike inner lip. The shells of helmet snails, including the king helmet, are often used for carving cameos. Smaller, more rounded species within the Cassidae family are known as bonnet shells.12

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