WHATSTHATFISH
Sea slugs & snails

Giant Helmet Shell

Cassis cornuta

Also known as: Bonnet Snail, Giant Cassis Cornuta, Giant Helmet, Giant Horned Helmet Conch, Hawaiian Helmet Shell, Helmet Seashell, Helmet Shell, Horned Helmet, Horned Helmet Shell

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeth Resort, Indonesia · June 20061 / 4
01

Overview

Found singly or in colonies, on sandy bottoms, sometimes half buried in the sand.

These shells are hunted for both food and a decorative item, although the Queensland government has put it under strict protection because it hunt the crown-of-thorns sea star.

Cassidae can grow very large and their shells resemble Roman Helmets. These are sand dwellers mainly hunting sea urchins such as sand dollars, using chemicals to penetrate through the hard case via the anus or by drilling a hole.

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How to identify

COLOURS

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly or in colonies, on sandy bottoms, sometimes half buried in the sand.

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Adult photos 4

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classGastropoda
    4. orderLittorinimorpha
    5. familyCassidae
    6. genusCassis
    7. speciesCassis cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Littorinimorpha