A Live Alphabet Cone
Nick (Sanibel) with a live Alphabet Cone
I’ve only seen one other live CONE but I didn’t have my camera with me so this was so cool to capture. Nick was being very careful to handle this live ALPHABET CONE since they are poisonous and have dart-like teeth that can inflict painful wounds. Yikes! Some CONES from Australia have been known to be fatal, so be careful! (See UPDATE below)
I found out that Nick has been coming to Sanibel for around 40 years, has lived here for 15 years and is a major sheller. Get this…..he has found 25 JUNONIAS! WOW! Yes, I called him a “brat” (heehee)….but it was only out of jealousy.
Leopard Crab shell, Purple Sea Urchin, Fig and Sponge
Kristy (Peoria, Illinois) with a Sponge and a Starfish
Kristy is a wildlife park naturalist in Illinois who is visiting Sanibel for 7 weeks “because it’s all about the wildlife here in Sanibel”.
UPDATE 8-4-10: It is now thought that the cone shell is not poisonous in the Florida area… please read the comment from MurexKen on this post http://iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/05/25/the-gulf-is-alive-and-well/