Geography cone

Conus geographus

The geography cone is a predatory cone snail from tropical Indo-Pacific reefs. It hunts fish with a venomous, harpoon-like tooth that can also seriously injure people.

Not a fish · an aquatic neighbor

Water

Saltwater

Tropical coral reefs, sandy reef flats, and shallow coastal seafloors.

Temperature

Range not established

A dependable species-specific wild temperature range was not found in the selected sources.

Size

Up to about 13 cm (5 in) long

About as long as a TV remote

Lifespan

Not established in the wild.

Life expectancy varies with place, conditions, and what scientists have been able to observe.

01 · Signature adaptation

What does it do?

The geography cone usually moves slowly over reef or sand while searching for prey. It can attack fish with remarkable speed, using venom to stop their muscles and nervous system.

Its superpowerA hollow radular tooth injects fast-acting venom into prey.

02 · Home coordinates

Where does it live?

Tropical Indo-Pacific waters from the eastern African region and Indian Ocean to northern Australia and the western Pacific.

Regions: Indo-Pacific · northern Australia · Indian Ocean islands

03 · The menu

What does it eat?

It detects fish, fires a venomous tooth, and draws the paralyzed prey into its mouth.

Carnivore: small fish.

04 · Remember this

Two wow facts

Venom harpoon

Its radula has specialized teeth that act like tiny disposable harpoons.

Sources [1] [2]

Chemical arsenal

Its venom contains many peptide toxins, several of which have become useful tools in neuroscience research.

Sources [2]