Beachgoers told to never pick up certain shell or it could kill you – it's eye-catching but you must resist urge
BEACHGOERS are being urged not to pick up a certain type of shell as its venom can cause instant paralysis – or even death.
Cone snails' shells are narrow at the base and wide at the opposite end and have spires, or coils.
Though their shells are often colourful and intricately patterned, anyone coming across them is being advised not to touch them or pick them up.
There are at least an estimated 600-700 species of these marine gastropods, from the family Conidae, all of which are venomous.
Cone snails are stealthy when hunting prey and have a harpoon-like tooth called a radula.
This extends like a long, flexible tube and rapidly injects toxic venom.
One person who had a narrow escape after picking up a cone snail's shell is Becky Lee, pictured above.
Becky posted a warning on TikTok after finding one of the beach beauties in Japan.
"I was playing with the most venomous creature in the ocean, that can lead to full paralysis or even fatality," said Becky.
"Fun fact I learned is that the cone snail is nicknamed the 'cigarette snail', because, according to urban legend, you have just enough time after it stings you to light a cigarette ... before you pass."
"When a cone snail stings you it can feel like a fire burning at the site, or it can feel like nothing," she added in the viral post. "I spent the next 72 hours in full paranoia not knowing if I was stung.
"There is no ant-venom for the cone snail so if you were stung it really is a hope and pray situation.
"Thankfully I was not stung and I'm just grateful the snail decided not to defend himself that day, but I hope my story helps spread the word that not all pretty shells are harmless."
Mum shares urgent warning for summer beach trips with kids as pal's left in hospital following massive allergic reaction
Becky has one last piece of advice for anyone who comes across one of the deadly creatures: "If it's a cone, leave it alone."
While the radula is most often used to hunt and paralyze fish and worms before consuming them, humans can be jabbed by stepping on or picking up a cone snail.
Why is there no antidote to a cone snail sting?
The complexity of the toxins in the venom, and the fact that the venom composition varies widely from species to species, makes the creation of antidotes difficult.
Typically, a cone snail's venom will initially cause tingling or numbness at the injection site, then spread to the impacted limb and eventually the entire body, according to the experts at Ocean Conservancy.
Cone snails are not currently listed as endangered or threatened, but their populations are at risk of depletion due to being over-harvested for their highly-prized shells, as well as being collected for scientific and medical research on the potential uses of their venom as medicine.
These tropical and temperate ocean dwellers tend to live in shallow waters and are commonly found near coral reefs or hiding in the sand or under coral shelves.
Some cone snails spend their time among mangroves.
Their sizes range from just half an inch to more than nine inches in length, and they comprise three groups according to their diets: molluscivores (mollusk-eaters), piscivores (fish-eaters) and vermivores (worm eaters).
There are also several sections where you can learn about some of the fascinating creatures that dwell in the ocean.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bristol volunteers needed for typhoid fever vaccine trial
A clinical study to test a new vaccine to prevent typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever is seeking Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) NHS Foundation Trust's Vaccine and Testing Research Team is collaborating with the University of Oxford's Vaccine Group to invite healthy people between the ages of 18 and 55 to take part in the will either receive an experimental dose or the control vaccine before being exposed to the bacteria which causes the Rajeka Lazarus, from UHBW, said: "We hope by investigating this new vaccine we can assist in progressing medical research and saving lives". Typhoid fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body and affect many can cause serious complications and can even be fatal without prompt is estimated that there are 13m cases of typhoid and paratyphoid A fever every year, resulting in 133,000 condition mainly affects school-aged children in Asia and Africa. 'Landmark moment' The seven-month trial aims to generate a protective immune the study, participants will be constantly monitored by doctors and will be reimbursed for their time and travel by the Serum Institute of India, which is funding the Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine group, and Chief Investigator of the study, said the trial is a "landmark moment"."Not only would this be the first licensed vaccine specifically for paratyphoid A, but this could also be the first combined vaccine to be licensed to protect against both paratyphoid and added that the vaccine could "significantly reduce the global burden" of the disease if it is successful.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Animal welfare concerns halt hotel's panda wake-up service
A Chinese hotel's unique red panda wake-up service, where the animals visit guests' rooms and climb on beds, has been ordered to stop. The Chongqing Forestry Bureau mandated the halt due to concerns over animal welfare, potential injury, and disease transmission. The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel in Chongqing attracted many guests specifically for this popular interaction with its four resident red pandas. Animal rights experts, including Sun Quanhui from World Animal Protection, stated that red pandas are a nationally protected species and should not be used for entertainment, citing their sensitive nature. The forestry bureau is currently conducting an on-site investigation at the hotel and will release its findings.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
The beach mistake that could be damaging your hair this weekend – it could even lead to you losing your locks
IF YOU are lucky enough to be enjoying the hot weather from the beach this weekend you probably haven't factored in what a refreshing dip in the sea might be doing to your hair. While a swim in the ocean may feel rejuvenating, it could be causing all sorts of problems to your locks including hair loss. 1 Dr Abdulaziz Balwi, leading hair doctor at Elithair Clinic, is shedding light on the effects of seawater on hair health. Hair loss Seawater contains a high concentration of salt, which can negatively impact hair health in several ways. It strips moisture from both the hair shaft and scalp, leading to dryness, brittleness, and irritation. While seawater doesn't directly cause hair loss, frequent exposure can disrupt the scalp's natural balance and lead to dryness and brittleness of the hair shaft. This can result in increased hair breakage and, if scalp irritation is significant, may contribute to temporary shedding (telogen efflivium). These effects are more pronounced if consistent hair and scalp care is not maintained. Dry hair Sea water's high salt content doesn't just affect the hair's texture, it can also interfere with the conditions necessary for healthy hair growth. When the salt draws moisture from the hair shafts, it weakens the hair's structural integrity, making strands more fragile and susceptible to breakage. Over time, this breakage can thin out the appearance of the hair, giving the illusion of hair loss even if the follicles are still active. For individuals already experiencing hair shedding or thinning, frequent exposure to saltwater can exacerbate these issues by increasing hair shaft fragility and potentially compounding existing scalp sensitivities, making it harder for hair to maintain optimal health and appearance. Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan shows off incredible figure as she goes for wild swim Scalp irritation Not only does the salt in seawater dehydrate the hair strands, leaving them feeling brittle and dry, but it can also impact scalp health, which plays a crucial role in supporting healthy hair growth. When seawater dries on the scalp, the high salt content pulls moisture from the skin, leading to dryness, tightness, and irritation. This moisture loss can compromise the scalp's protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to inflammation and imbalances in its natural oil production. As a result, scalp conditions such as dandruff, flakiness, itching can worsen. Excess salt and dryness can also aggravate conditions like folliculitis, a mild inflammation of the hair follicles. An unhealthy scalp environment can hinder the function of hair follicles and potentially slow or disrupt normal hair growth over time. How to protect your scalp in the sea Going into the sea shouldn't cause hair loss or extensive damage, so long as the hair and scalp are cared for properly. Rinse the scalp: As soon as possible after coming out of the sea, rinse the scalp with fresh water to remove residual salt. This helps to prevent the salt from continuing to irritate and dry out the scalp. Rehydrate the hair and scalp: It's important to restore hydration of the hair and scalp. This can be done using soothing, scalp-friendly products that contain ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or argan oil. If you are prone to dry hair, you can wet your hair and apply a hydrating mask or conditioner before going into the sea to help retain moisture. It should be noted that this will not protect the scalp from becoming irritated. Anyone with a sensitive scalp can try rinsing their scalp with fresh water before getting in the sea to minimize the absorption of saltwater and help reduce its drying effect. Alternatively, wearing a swimming cap offers a more direct protective barrier, significantly reducing the scalp's exposure to sea water. Cleanse the scalp: For those who swim in the sea regularly, incorporating a gentle, sulfate-free clarifying shampoo once or twice a week can help remove salt and product residue that may contribute to scalp buildup, therefore keeping the environment healthy for hair growth. Maintaining a clean, well-hydrated, and balanced scalp post-sea exposure is key to supporting long-term hair health and minimising any disruption to hair growth.
