The Cone Shape
Cone shells as they are sometimes referred, relate to the family of predatory gastropods. The cone snail is one of the many things living on in the waters around Airlie Beach, along with living coral and numerous varieties of colourful reef fish. The snails are as the name suggests, shaped in a perfect cone that tapers from the base in much the same way as a tree cone. The cone shells have an attractive look about them, some with bright eye catching colours and such intricate style that young people have an instant desire to grab them up but there is a danger that the Cone Shell will inject a poison via a needle like tooth that will inject with out warning!
Cone Shells – Dangerous Gastropods Explained
What is a gastropod?
An species in the gastropod group means it has a soft body and resides in a single shell. The common garden snail is part of the family and just as the garden snail has many varieties, there are 80 different species of cone snails in Australia, many of which are seen inhabiting in the waters of the Whitsunday Islands
What is it about cone shells that make them predatory?
Surely these beautiful looking shells are not destructive or greedy are they? In actual fact, the surface of the shell while perfectly cone shaped and patterned, has a hidden tooth which act like a small harpoon strong enough to penetrate the skin and clothing. The animal will use the harpoon whenever it feels threatened but mostly uses it to prey on other marine organisms.
The needle shoot out a toxic peptide that is very highly poisonous. As there is no antivenin from the poisons of cone shells, medical attention should be sought straight away. Pressure immobilisation first aid needs to be applied and in worst cases assisted mouth to mouth resusatation. Symptoms might include slow speech, fuzzy vision and muscle loss. Identifying shells before contact is essential to staying safe while playing in the around coral.
More Shells in the waters around Airlie Beach
Apart from the dangerous cone snails there are many beautiful and less harmful shells to be found along the reef. There are also types of edible shells from the miniature clam to rock oysters. The waters around Airlie Beach has no less than six of the eight varieties of large clams of the glode. While not so much an edible treat they are certainly something to look at from a distance. Care should be taken that no foreign particles enter the delicate inside of the shell if you are lucky enough to find one of these open mouthed as you explore under the surface and around the waters of the Whitsunday Islands
Airlie Beach - Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
If you are planning a trip to see all the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, Airlie Beach is well worth a look as the place to base yourself and take your island adventures. The town is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays as a number of the 74 islands are within easy reach by boat. Adventures to the Whitsunday islands itself are plentiful from half day dive tours to overnight stays as little as one hour away.
The Dangerous Creatures series and this article about stingrays of the waters around Airlie Beach Series has been put together by Toscana Village Resort, Airlie Beach Accommodation.