BIRUG 19266 - Helmet Shell Gastropod

Description

BIRUG19266 was not given a species name when it was donated, however it best resembles the bonnet- or helmet-shelled snail and genus *Cypraecassis* from the family Cassidae. The coloration of this group of bonnet shells is characteristic in that they are banded and have white and brown or orange stripes on the body whirl of the shell, while the outer lip has thicker bands of color. These sea snails are predacious and hunt mobile prey, normally sea urchins and are found searching for prey along the sea floor. This specimen was collected from Llandudno by Sowerby in 1879 and given to the Museum in 1916 by Sir George H. Holcroft. Scanning was performed by Sian Miller using an Artec Spider 3D scanner. Description by Jonathan Kimel.