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Cone Mollusc * Family Conidae: genus Conus |
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Picture:
ThinkQuest (see link below)
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FACTS: A
marine snail with attitude. Found throughout the Indian Ocean and the
Western Pacific, this relative of Brian is very pretty -- but not very
friendly. THREAT: The cone mollusc has a tooth-like spike on the end of its tongue. While you are admiring it, it shoots its tongue out and stabs your hand. The injected venom numbs your flesh and causes paralysis. Then the paralysis spreads to your lungs and you die. |
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Click here for more
information * 'Mollusc' is also spelled 'mollusk'. |
TREATMENT: There isn’t any treatment. You could try praying that someone on
board knows cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so you could tell the
coroner and the victim's relatives that you tried really, really hard.
STOP PRESS: If you don't believe me, read all about menacing molluscs in this BBC article. |
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