Great Barrier Reef Australia - Cone Snails

Home » Where Do Cone Snails Live » Great Barrier Reef Australia - Cone Snails

Maybe your like

1300 231 118
  • Places to go
    Regions
    Region Map
    • Bundaberg North Burnett
      • » Bundaberg
      • » Lady Elliot Island
    • Cairns Tropical North Queensland
      • » Cairns
      • » Green Island
      • » Fitzroy Island
      • » Port Douglas
      • » Low Isles
      • » Palm Cove
      • » Mission Beach
    • Capricorn Region
      • » Great Keppel Island
      • » Rockhampton
      • » Yeppoon
    • Fraser Coast
      • » Hervey Bay
      • » K'gari (Fraser Island)
    • Gladstone Region
      • » Lady Musgrave Island
      • » Agnes Water
      • » Seventeen Seventy
      • » Heron Island
    • The Wild North
      • » Cape York Peninsula
      • » Cooktown
      • » Lizard Island
    • Townsville North Queensland
      • » Townsville City
      • » Magnetic Island
    • Whitsundays
      • » Hill Inlet
      • » Airlie Beach
      • » Hamilton Island
      • » Heart Reef
      • » Whitehaven Beach
      • » Daydream Island
      • » Mackay
      • » Shute Harbour
      • » Proserpine
    Explore All Places To See
  • Things to do
    Tours, Attractions & Activities
    • 4WD Tours
      • » K'gari (Fraser Island)
    • Aboriginal Tours
      • » All Aboriginal Tours
    • Adrenaline Experiences
      • » Jet Skiing
      • » Jet Boating
    • Christmas Day
      • » All Christmas Day
    • Combo Package Tours
      • » All Combo Package Tours
    • Cruise Ship Tours
      • » All Cruise Ship Tours
    • Family Tours
      • » Family Tours Great Barrier Reef
    • Great Barrier Reef Tours
      • » Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
      • » Overnight Tours
      • » Sailing Tours
      • » Great Barrier Reef Pontoons
      • » Island Tours
      • » Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights
      • » Helicopter & Reef Combo
      • » Snorkelling and Diving
      • » Non-Swimmer Reef Tours
      • » Great Barrier Reef Cruises
    • Half Day Tours
      • » Half Day Island Tours
      • » Half Day Adrenaline Experiences
      • » Half Day Family Tours
      • » Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tours
      • » Half Day Whale Tours
      • » Half Day Scenic Flights
      • » Half Day Private Charter Tours
    • Hot Deals
      • » All Hot Deals
    • Luxury Yacht Charters
      • » All Luxury Yacht Charters
    • Private Charter Tours
      • » Charter Boats
    • Scenic Flights
      • » Helicopter Flights
      • » Airplane Flights
    • Sunset Cruise
      • » All Sunset Cruise
    • Whale Tours
      • » Whale Watching
      • » Swim with Whales
    Explore All Things To Do
  • Accommodation
Barrier Reef Australia
  • Plan your trip
    Tools, Info & Inspiration
    • » About The Reef
    • » Wet Tropics Rainforest
    • » Popular Itineraries
    • » Visitor Information
    Explore All Plan Your Trip Pages
  • Contact Us
  • My Favourites
Barrier Reef Australia

Share, print or add this to your wishlist.

Cone snails

With the venom of some cone snail species (also known as cone shells) containing the most potent neurotoxins known to man these sea creatures may look harmless, but a sting from one can be lethal. Don’t believe us? Then read on to find out how these pretty-looking shells could possibly pose a threat.

What is a cone snail?

There are between 500 – 600 cone snail species worldwide, of which 133 are believed to live in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Housed in a brightly patterned or coloured shell, they have been described as an underwater tank by National Geographic, slowly scouring for prey armed with a deadly weapon. They can prey on fish, molluscs, or worms with the most venomous being those that feed on fish and molluscs and which are also responsible for serious injuries to humans.

How does it hunt its prey?

The four tubes protruding from the front of the cone includes its two eye stalks; a siphon, used to inhale water and detect prey; and the proboscis, a long and mobile appendage containing a lethal harpoon loaded with at least 100 different neurotoxins; and the radula, a row of tiny teeth arranged in a ribbon. Cones typically hunt at night, luring their victim in with their proboscis, before stabbing them with a paralysing toxin. The cone snail will then engulf their prey.

Have there been any fatalities from a cone snail?

The geography cone (Conus geographus) is a large species of cone snail, reaching up to 120mm long, is thought to be responsible for the death of a young man at Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef in 1935 in the Whitsundays. This is the only death that has been recorded from a cone snail in Australia. And while they are lethal, the cone snail is not aggressive to humans, with stings usually occurring when divers handle them in deep reef waters.

Where do they live?

The cone snail is entirely marine, and can be found under stones, sand, rubble, or even among weed depending on the species’ preference. Along the Australian coastline, they can be found from north Western Australia to southern Queensland but they are widely distributed throughout the Indian and Pacific oceans, the Caribbean and Red seas. It is unlikely swimmers or snorkellers will find them in shallow waters.

What if I see one?

Do not pick it up, under any circumstances. It’s also important to also be aware that a cone shell on a beach may still have a living animal inside so it is best to leave it alone.

What are the symptoms of a sting?

Stings usually occur in the hands because of handling and have been likened to a bee or wasp sting but the symptoms can then become quite severe, with intense pain, numbness or tingling in the area. In severe cases, victims may have difficulty speaking, experience double vision, fainting, and even respiratory paralysis.

How do you treat a sting?

  • Seek medical attention immediately by calling 000.
  • While there is no antivenom available there are measures that can be put in place to relieve the pain.
    • First, immerse the affected area in water as hot as is tolerable.
    • Use the pressure immobilisation technique with an elastic bandage to wrap the limb of the sting. While you’ll need to bind the limb firmly, do not block circulation – fingers and toes should remain pink.
    • Try to stay as calm and still as possible while waiting for medical attention.
    • In extreme cases, CPR may be necessary.
  • View all the excting Great Barrier Reef tours in Australia here.

Great Barrier Reef Blog

Dec 13 Photo Courtesy Of MV-PO What Sort of Boats Can You Charter In the Whitsunday Islands?

Discover the full range of Whitsunday charter boats including sailing yachts, luxury yachts, fishing boat charters and more....

By admin Sep 28 Hill Inlet Lookout | Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays The Complete Guide to Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet

Read on why as a visitor to the Whitsundays you have to visit Hill Inlet & Whitehaven Beach

By Sophie Tabouel Sep 27 Heart Reef Scenic Flights Great Barrier Reef - Whitsundays Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach Flight + Snorkelling Combo Tour – The Ultimate Whitsundays Experience

Our most popular Airlie Beach tour - Scenic Flight & Snorkelling Tour 

By Saachi James-Mason Sep 24 Whitsundays Pontoon on Hardy Reef - Reefworld Great Barrier Reef Pontoons in the Whitsundays – Reefworld, Reefsleep & ReefSuites

Why Travellers Ask About Reef Pontoons

By Sophie Tabouel Sep 23 Seaplane flights over the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach Insider’s Guide to Tours and Attractions in Airlie Beach

Why Visit Airlie Beach?

By Sophie Tabouel Sep 22 Helicopter Flight over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia What Can You See on a Helicopter Tour from Port Douglas?

Why Travellers Ask This Question

By Saachi James-Mason
  • Menu
  • Search Barrier Reef Australia
  • Home
  • Places To See
    • Explore All Places To See
    • Bundaberg North Burnett
      • Explore All Bundaberg North Burnett
      • Bundaberg
      • Lady Elliot Island
      • Explore All Bundaberg North Burnett
    • Cairns Tropical North Queensland
      • Explore All Cairns Tropical North Queensland
      • Cairns
      • Green Island
      • Fitzroy Island
      • Port Douglas
      • Low Isles
      • Palm Cove
      • Mission Beach
      • Explore All Cairns Tropical North Queensland
    • Capricorn Region
      • Explore All Capricorn Region
      • Great Keppel Island
      • Rockhampton
      • Yeppoon
      • Explore All Capricorn Region
    • Fraser Coast
      • Explore All Fraser Coast
      • Hervey Bay
      • K'gari (Fraser Island)
      • Explore All Fraser Coast
    • Gladstone Region
      • Explore All Gladstone Region
      • Lady Musgrave Island
      • Agnes Water
      • Seventeen Seventy
      • Heron Island
      • Explore All Gladstone Region
    • The Wild North
      • Explore All The Wild North
      • Cape York Peninsula
      • Cooktown
      • Lizard Island
      • Explore All The Wild North
    • Townsville North Queensland
      • Explore All Townsville North Queensland
      • Townsville city
      • Magnetic Island
      • Explore All Townsville North Queensland
    • Whitsundays
      • Explore All Whitsundays
      • Hill Inlet
      • Airlie Beach
      • Hamilton Island
      • Heart Reef
      • Whitehaven Beach
      • Daydream Island
      • Mackay
      • Shute Harbour
      • Proserpine
      • Explore All Whitsundays
    • Explore All Places To See
  • Things To Do
    • Explore All Things To Do
    • 4WD Tours
      • Explore All 4WD Tours
      • K'gari (Fraser Island)
      • Explore All 4WD Tours
    • Aboriginal Tours
      • Explore All Aboriginal Tours
    • Adrenaline Experiences
      • Explore All Adrenaline Experiences
      • Jet Skiing
      • Jet Boating
      • Explore All Adrenaline Experiences
    • Christmas Day
      • Explore All Christmas Day
    • Combo Package Tours
      • Explore All Combo Package Tours
    • Cruise Ship Tours
      • Explore All Cruise Ship Tours
    • Family Tours
      • Explore All Family Tours
      • Family Tours Great Barrier Reef
      • Explore All Family Tours
    • Great Barrier Reef Tours
      • Explore All Great Barrier Reef Tours
      • Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
      • Overnight Tours
      • Sailing Tours
      • Great Barrier Reef Pontoons
      • Island Tours
      • Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights
      • Helicopter & Reef Combo
      • Snorkelling and Diving
      • Non-Swimmer Reef Tours
      • Great Barrier Reef Cruises
      • Explore All Great Barrier Reef Tours
    • Half Day Tours
      • Explore All Half Day Tours
      • Half Day Island Tours
      • Half Day Adrenaline Experiences
      • Half Day Family Tours
      • Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tours
      • Half Day Whale Tours
      • Half Day Scenic Flights
      • Half Day Private Charter Tours
      • Explore All Half Day Tours
    • Hot Deals
      • Explore All Hot Deals
    • Luxury Yacht Charters
      • Explore All Luxury Yacht Charters
    • Private Charter Tours
      • Explore All Private Charter Tours
      • Charter Boats
      • Explore All Private Charter Tours
    • Scenic Flights
      • Explore All Scenic Flights
      • Helicopter Flights
      • Airplane Flights
      • Explore All Scenic Flights
    • Sunset Cruise
      • Explore All Sunset Cruise
    • Whale Tours
      • Explore All Whale Tours
      • Whale Watching
      • Swim with Whales
      • Explore All Whale Tours
    • Explore All Things To Do
  • Accommodation
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Explore All Plan Your Trip Pages Explore Plan Your Trip Pages
    • About The Reef
    • Wet Tropics Rainforest
    • Popular Itineraries
    • Visitor Information
    • Explore All Plan Your Trip Pages Explore Plan Your Trip Pages
  • Contact Us
  • 0 My Favourites

  • 1300 231 118 Intl +61 7 4059 59 59

    Office Hours:8:30am - 5:30pm AEST

    Barrier Reef Time: 18:19

    • Whatsapp IconWhatsapp+61 427 074 745
    • Facebook IconFacebook
    • Instagram IconInstagram
‹ › ×

Tag » Where Do Cone Snails Live