A Live Alphabet Cone

A Live Alphabet Cone

Nick (Sanibel) with a live Alphabet Cone

Nick (Sanibel) with a live Alphabet Cone

I’ve only seen one other live CONE but I didn’t have my camera with me so this was so cool to capture. Nick was being very careful to handle this live ALPHABET CONE since they are poisonous and have dart-like teeth that can inflict painful wounds. Yikes! Some CONES from Australia have been known to be fatal, so be careful! (See UPDATE below)

I found out that Nick has been coming to Sanibel for around 40 years, has lived here for 15 years and is a major sheller. Get this…..he has found 25 JUNONIAS! WOW! Yes, I called him a “brat” (heehee)….but it was only out of jealousy.

Crab shell, Purple Urchin, Fig and Sponge

Leopard Crab shell, Purple Sea Urchin, Fig and Sponge

Kristy (Peoria, Illinois)

Kristy (Peoria, Illinois) with a Sponge and a Starfish

Kristy is a wildlife park naturalist in Illinois who is visiting Sanibel for 7 weeks “because it’s all about the wildlife here in Sanibel”.

UPDATE 8-4-10: It is now thought that the cone shell is not poisonous in the Florida area… please read the comment from MurexKen on this post   http://iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/05/25/the-gulf-is-alive-and-well/