Black-and-white Cone Snail
NameBlack-and-white Cone Snail
Scientific NameConus litteratus
Common NameLettered Cone, Black-and-white Cone Snail
FamilyConidae
GenusConus
Specieslitteratus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including East Africa, the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific, extending to Polynesia.
Habitatsubtidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)70-150
Identifying FeaturesLarge size, heavy shell, very low spire, and a distinctive pattern of large, irregular dark blotches on a light background. The shoulder is typically smooth.
Raritycommon
Author CitationHwass in Bruguière, 1792
Description
A large, heavy cone shell characterized by its broad, conical shape and low spire. The shell surface is typically smooth, though it may show growth lines or be covered by a periostracum or algal growth. The aperture is long and narrow.
