A video posted in subreddit “OopsThatsDeadly” by Reddit Nico038cc user has gone viral, showing a man holding a cone snail on an Egyptian beach that could have killed him instantly. The reddit user said his parents found the snail on a beach in Egypt, and wanted to show it off on camera. Little did they know that the snail was one of the deadliest sea creatures in the world.
Why is Cone Snail So Dangerous?
Cone snails are highly venomous sea snails that belong to the family Conidae. They have beautiful shells that are often colorful and patterned, but they also have a sharp proboscis that can inject venom into their prey or predators. The venom contains a cocktail of toxins that can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death in minutes.
According to the Aquarium of the Pacific, cone snails use their proboscis to hunt fish, marine worms, or even other snails. They can sense their prey nearby and launch their proboscis like a harpoon. The proboscis can penetrate gloves or wetsuits, so divers and beachgoers should never touch or pick up cone snails.
The man in the video was lucky that the snail did not sting him, as there is no antivenom for cone snail venom. The only treatment is supportive care and artificial respiration until the venom wears off. Some species of cone snails are more dangerous than others, but it is hard to tell them apart by their shells.
Parents wanted to show the cool snail they found while on a vacation to Egypt
by u/Nico038cc in OopsThatsDeadly
The scariest part was when the parent put his finger inside the cone snail’s shell. He really had no idea how close to possible death they were.
The video has received millions views and thousands of comments, with many people expressing shock and disbelief at the man’s ignorance and recklessness. Some also praised the beauty of the snail and its shell, while others warned about the dangers of cone snails and other venomous animals.
This is a prime example of why you shouldn’t just pick up everything you see in life that looks beautiful.
