David,
I most often use the freeze/thaw method to clean cones and suspect their
venom may still be toxic after freezing. If it is a particularly
venomous species or if I have a cut on my hand, I may opt to wear rubber
gloves. Perhaps someone may be able to speak directly to the stability
of these venoms. Do they remain potent after freezing or boiling?
I've witnessed a number of species envenomate their prey and, in those
instances, the agile proboscis made point contact with the prey.
Specific to Conus tulipa and geographus, the rostrum would envelop
around the fish, making it impossible to determine if there was contact
or not.
While collecting, I sometimes lightly tap the backside of an active
cone. The animal will then withdraw a little while it is placed into the
collecting jar.
Watching cones stalk their prey is always fascinating. My dive buddy
recently found a Conus aulicus and, wanting to get some pictures, he
kindly allowed me to keep it in my tank for about a week. I would watch
it in the evening, just after the lights went out, when it would become
quite active and roam the tank. It would wave its siphon about, fully
extended and sniffing for prey. It was hungry and he consumed several of
my small cowries (4 annulus, 1 moneta, and 1 caputserpentis). I never
managed to witness the attacks but each morning there would be another
dead cowrie, the shell resting upside down on the sand and squeaky
clean.
Cheers,
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Giancarlo Paganelli
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 1:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: R: venomous coneshells
If the conus is just dead, the only care is not touching the tooth sac
to avoid a possible, even if improbable, wound. But I think the hazard
is only with the very venomous cones as geographus, tulipa, striatus,
textile…. when they are alive. The cones can throw the harpoon but in a
short distance. The problem happens handling a cone with the naked hands
because the animal can turn the proboscis and hit you. I collected some
Conus ventricosus about 4-5 cm by naked hands and I had not problems.
Ciao
Giancarlo
-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Per
conto di David Herman
Inviato: mercoledì 24 marzo 2004 20.33
A: [log in to unmask]
Oggetto: venomous coneshells
I recently posted questions regarding venomous coneshells. I got an
excellent reply from Giancarlo Paganelli [log in to unmask] for
answering many questions regarding venomous coneshells. His excellent
website is highly recommended. I still have two unanswered questions.
What are the precautions one must take when cleaning recently killed
cones? (Is the venom still potent?) While in the sea, can the
coneshells harpoon be shot out of its body? This might be a silly
question, but I would still like to know.
Thank you.
David
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