Conus obscurus Sowerby, 1833
Obscure cone, 38mm
Conus
obscurus is moderately uncommon in the Marshalls, where it is found primarily
on the seaward reefs, buried in rubble by day and emerging in ledges and small
caves at night to hunt sleeping fish. Occasional specimens have also been found
under rocks on the intertidal reef or in reef quarries that were dug out to
provide building material. Although small, as a fish eater, it is a species
to be careful with, since its fish stunning venom is presumably more likely
to affect humans than the venom of worm eaters. Of course, it is wise to be
careful of any cones since an individual could be sensitive to the type of venom
from any cone.
The puckered mouth that delivers the venomous harpoon is visible just to the
left of the elongate siphon below.
Created
4 July 2009
Updated 12 March 2020
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