Snorkeling through the islands of Hawaii can bring beautiful sights of under the sea life, from colorful creatures to unique species only found in the islands. But while visiting the stunning island of Maui, visitors may also come across some dangers of the ocean while snorkeling, too! The Cone Snail is one of the endemic species of snails, among the 34 total species, found in Hawaiian waters. The Hawaiian name “pupu poniuniu” translates to “dizzy shell”, in reference to the sting of venom that the critter can give out. This slow moving species can be commonly seen throughout the salt waters of Maui, from a safe distance, of course!
One of the largest sea snails in Hawaii, the Cone Snail is typically most active at night. Sizes of these animal range from 1.3cm all the way up to 21.6cm, and weight on average about 3.5 ounces. These solitary creatures are among the over 900 species of sea snail, with a lifespan of around 10 to 20 years. The Cone Snail can be quite colorful, with swirls around the shell that is wide at one end and narrow at the other. The shells can be dull, shiny, smooth or bumpy and have endless possibilities of patterns and designs. These beautiful shells were once prized as ornaments in Hawaiian culture, though recognized as dangerous creatures. In some parts of the coastal regions of the world, the Cone Snail was used as a form of currency through out history. These animals’ population is at risk due to the dangers of being over harvested for their shells.
When the Cone Snail isn’t buried in the sand or hiding in the coral reef, the slow moving creature utilizes internal fertilization for breeding. Egg capsules of between 1,000 and 1,500 eggs are attached to substrate where they will remain until the time of hatching. Hatchlings can be born in larvae form, or even as baby snails, dependent on the type of snail.
The Cone Snail uses its sense of smell for hunting prey, as it is equipped with a siphon, which extends from inside the shell to sniff around using chemical receptors. Cone Snails are divided into three groups based upon the diet of the animal; piscivores which feed on fish, molluscivorous which feed on mollusks and other snails and vermivores which feed on worms. When the critter finds its desired meal, it will project a proboscis, a harpoon like tooth, from inside of the shell to sting prey and inject its venom. While this attack method occurs in a matter of only milliseconds, this toxic venom can even be fatal to humans. A handy tool for immobilizing prey in seconds and also warding off predators! The Cone Snail is among the most toxic creatures on the earth, and in 2005 the FDA approved two new drugs that were synthesized from the venom of these animals for pain medication, which was nonaddictive and about 50 times more affective than Morphine. Once the Cone Snail has prepared its prey, it will use its probiscis to eat with out having to leave its shell!
Though it may pose a risk, witnessing the beauty of a Cone Snail’s shell is definitely a must when traveling to Maui! If snorkeling beside one of these toxic creatures isn’t desirable, a trip to the Maui Ocean Center provides a completely safe peek at the stunning shells and life of the snail! Go Rent A Car Maui has vans, trucks, suv’s and sedans to take you to see the Cone Snail in the wild, or to see it behind safety glass at the Maui Ocean Center!