Colorful seashells along the coast may pose a lethal risk this summer, as experts alert vacationers to the dangers of venomous cone snails hiding in plain sight.
According to the Daily Mail, Scientists are urging increased caution after reports of highly venomous cone snails, capable of killing humans within minutes, were found in various global coastal regions including parts of California and Mexico.
Cone snails, which may appear as harmless patterned shells in tidepools and rocky beach areas, carry one of the most potent natural toxins known to science. These marine snails use a dart-like harpoon to inject venom, typically intended for fish but dangerous to humans who come into contact with them.
Experts warn that people often pick up these snails unknowingly, thinking they are lifeless shells due to their striking black-and-white or brown-patterned appearances. Stings generally happen when the animal is accidentally handled, stepped on, or disturbed in shallow water.
The most dangerous species, such as the conus geographus and conus textile, have been spotted along the Pacific coasts of California and Mexico, as well as widely across the Indo-Pacific. These species are more likely to deliver fatal stings, especially from larger snails, according to researchers.
Medical reports and studies have shown that children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of the venom due to their smaller body mass. One global review conducted in 2016 revealed that children accounted for a disproportionate number of deaths linked to cone snail stings.
This review tracked 139 medically documented cone snail stings, with 36 confirmed fatalities stretching back to the 1600s. The conus geographus species was identified in roughly half of all fatal cases. Researchers found that venom severity increased with the snail’s size, regardless of a human victim's age.
Symptoms of a cone snail sting may begin with localized pain similar to that of a bee but can quickly progress to more severe effects. Victims may experience blue-tinged skin, paralysis, breathing problems, and even death within moments, depending on the amount of venom delivered.
Unlike bites from venomous snakes or spiders, there is currently no antidote for cone snail venom. Emergency treatment includes immersing the sting site in hot water to ease pain and applying pressure to slow the spread of toxins within the body.
Doctors may also use local anesthetics to relieve symptoms, but any suspected cone snail sting should be treated as a medical emergency. Experts highlight that the only real protection is awareness and avoidance, especially for curious children exploring tidepools or collecting shells.
Marine biologist Tina Petway learned the dangers firsthand during a solo field expedition in the Solomon Islands. She was stung three times by a cone snail while conducting mollusk research, resulting in vision loss and unconsciousness within moments.
“I realized this other hand was on fire… so when I looked, I could see where it had stung me three times,” said Petway, an associate curator of mollusks at Houston's Museum of Natural Sciences. Her immediate symptoms prompted her to write a farewell message to her husband before she passed out.
She remained unconscious for three days and later had to endure a two-hour boat ride and days of waiting before she could receive advanced medical care. Although she has recovered, Petway continues to experience chronic headaches years later from the incident.
These real-life encounters illustrate just how quickly the situation can escalate when cone snails are encountered unexpectedly. While such cases remain rare, experts warn that rising ocean temperatures may be expanding the snail’s geographic reach.
Australian marine snail specialist Dr. Stephen Smith emphasized the importance of education, saying, “It’s something we need to get out there so people are aware of the potential risk of this species.” He teaches his children to avoid picking up cone shells and recognizes the snail’s habitat as a hazard.
Authorities acknowledge there are no reliable annual statistics for cone snail-related injuries or deaths in the United States. However, the combination of warming waters and increasing beach activity during summer makes awareness all the more critical.
Officials recommend that beach visitors exercise caution when identifying seashells and avoid handling any live cone snails. Recognizing the unique patterns and shapes of the most dangerous species may be key to walking away unharmed.
