If You Spot This Beautiful Shell At The Beach, Back Away And Don’t Ever Pick It Up

Oysters, limpets, periwinkles – as an avid shell collector, the beachcomber had seen them all. But this colorful specimen was a real surprise. Its mottled orange pattern was so pretty that it almost called out to her, and she couldn’t resist reaching a hand forward to pick it up. Little did she know, though, that with every step she was coming closer to horrible danger.

Yes, while this strange shell may look stunning, don’t let its beauty lull you into a false sense of security. Just as a rose has its thorns, there’s a defense mechanism waiting to strike here, too. And don’t just assume that you’ll receive a small, momentarily painful prick. The potential consequences are far more grave.

You see, some of the people who’ve come into contact with shells of this kind have actually died. And while you’d think that lethal objects would have the decency to look sinister, it’s not the case here. Shells come in a variety of bright colors, and so this insidious little so-and-so doesn’t wave any obvious red flags.

Then there’s the shells’ obconical shape – which means they’re oblong and end in a spire, in case you were wondering! That’s pretty normal, as are their usual shades. Often, these cones come in white, rose pink or cream hues. So far, so ordinary, and that begs one question: why are they so sought after?

Well, it’s probably all down to some of the shells’ markings – stunning mottled or mosaic patterns in either red or dark brown. They’re super-photogenic, in fact, and great for an Instagram snap. But if you see an attractive shell matching this description on an Australian beach – or any beach, for that matter – be very careful.