Conus vitulinus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Conus vitulinus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=215444 on 2020-09-14
Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
The conus vitulinus uses its venom as self-defense to predators, as well as to hunt down its prey, which consists of worms, mulluscs and fish.
Description
The length of the shell varies between 30 mm and 83 mm. Distribution This marine species occurs in the Indo-Western Pacific.
References
Tucker J.K. & Tenorio M.J. (2013) Illustrated catalog of the living cone shells. 517 pp. Wellington, Florida: MdM Publishing Monnier E., Limpalaër L., Robin A. & Roux C. (2018). A taxonomic iconography of living Conidae. Harxheim: ConchBooks. 2 vols. 1205 pp.
External links
Bruguière J.G. (1789-1792). Encyclopédie méthodique ou par ordre de matières. Histoire naturelle des vers, volume 1. Paris: Pancoucke. Pp. i-xviii, 1-344 Gastropods.com: Vituliconus planorbis vitulinus