The Alphabet Cone

 

Alphabet Cone

The Alphabet Cone is one of my personal favorites. It's fairly rare, but not as rare as the mighty Junonia. The one in the photo came rolling in with a wave. You have to be quick when that happens. But when you make the capture, it's magical. Unlike the Junonia which lies deep in the ocean, the Alphabet Cone (Conus spurius) is typically found in shallow coastal water and also in sandy or muddy substrates near the shore. 

It gets its name from the markings on the outside of the cone that resemble letters of the alphabet and punctuation marks. The colors range from yellow to dark brown. They have a hearty shell with a narrow opening. The ones that I've found have all been intact, which is always a treat. 

Since they are not deep sea dwellers and prefer the shallow waters of the coastal area so they can find their prey, you need to exercise caution. They kill their prey by using a venomous harpoon-like tooth, which paralyzes them first. Their preferred prey are small fish, worms, and other mollusks. As predators, they play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.

Their venom is not only toxic to marine life but also to humans. You need to exercise caution when you pick one up in the water and on the shore. Make sure the shell is empty. The mixture of toxins in the venom can cause quite a sting that can prove fatal. 

Since the aperture of the Alphabet Cone is quite narrow, it's hard to tell if the shell is occupied. For that reason, I always exercise caution when picking one up on the shore. And I've yet to see an egg casing for the Alphabet Cone, which contains the creature and the shell until it breaks through the casing. If I do come across an egg casing, I'll be sure to share it with you! 

There you have it: A quick synopsis of the coveted Alphabet Cone. When I first found out about the venom, I admit I was a little bit "afraid" of them. But nothing can hold me back from picking one up on the beach; it's always a thrill. 

Happy beachcombing!