Beautiful but Deadly Trivia Quiz

Answer: On a coral reef

Named for their cone-shaped shells, cone snails are some of the many animals that can be found on or around coral reefs. Their habitat includes the eastern and central Indian Ocean, the tropical Indian Ocean as well as the western and central Pacific Ocean. They can also be found in the Mediterranean.

Answer: Through a tiny hollow tooth

Cone snails inject venom into their victims by firing tiny hollow teeth out of their snouts. They feed on various things including fish, worms and other mollusks.

Answer: Geography cone

I happen to own the shells of these four cone snails and, while they're all regarded as being a danger to humans, the deadliest is the geography cone.

In 1935, a young man picked up a live geography cone while visiting Hayman Island (Queensland). He was stung on the hand, but despite this, he felt no pain and the only visible evidence was a tiny puncture mark on his palm. Ten minutes later he complained of stiffness in his face and after twenty minutes his vision was blurred. After an hour he was in a coma and five hours after being stung he was dead.

So here's a word of advice: if you ever see a cone snail at the beach LEAVE IT ALONE!

Answer: Black and white

The shell of the marbled cone is black with white triangles in assorted sizes.

The shell of the geography cone is white with brown patches.

The shell of the sunburnt cone is brown with a grey spiral, while the shell of the cloth of gold cone is white with bright gold patches.

Answer: True

One of the larger fish-eating varieties, the feathered cone is among the eight species of cone snail listed as being dangerous to humans.

The other cone snails on this list are the magical cone, the princely cone, the striated cone, the marbled cone, the tulip cone, the cloth of gold cone and the geography cone.

Answer: True

Cone snails can be found in all tropical and sub-tropical seas. They come in a variety of sizes and colours.

Answer: Yes

Usually solitary creatures, cone snails come together once a year to reproduce. During this time, females lay hundreds of eggs. It can anywhere from a week to two months for the eggs to hatch.

Answer: Blue-ringed octopus

Marbled cone snails produce the same neurotoxin as the blue-ringed octopus. Both animals carry enough venom to kill more than twenty people and there is no known antivenom. The symptoms can be treated until the toxin has worn off, saving the victim if medical attention is quickly sought.

Answer: Yes

Cone snails are not immune to their own venom and some species will quite happily include other cone snails as part of their diet. Other cone snail predators include crabs and coral fish.

Answer: Seek immediate medical attention

Here's some first aid info for how to treat a cone snail sting. If treating someone who is NOT suffering from paralysis, you should first of all apply a pressure bandage to the affected limb and immobilise it. Make sure the patient gets plenty of rest, but don't leave them unattended. Lastly, you need to reassure the patient and seek immediate medical attention.

However the treatment changes if you're dealing with someone who IS suffering from paralysis. Apply a pressure bandage and immobilise the affected limb (this should delay the spread of venom). Check that the patient is breathing and that their airway is clear. Also, check the patient's pulse. If their heart stops, it's vital that you perform CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) immediately until medical attention becomes available.