Orange Conecone Conus traficus

height: 1.5-2.5'
range: throughout the United States with concentrations in urban areas. Winters southern United States and southward.

The Orange Conecone is perhaps the most well known of all conus. Its bright orange coat devoid of any marking makes it easily recognizable. Its gentle and hardy nature lends well to domestication, so it is often used in construction and road work.

Blue Conecone Conus smurficus

height: 1'
range: California and Hawaii, often near gas stations, car washes, and hair salons

The Blue Conecone is a rare and beautiful cone. It was severely threatened with extinction in the late seventies due to a mistaken belief that boiling the cone would produce gold.

Leper's Blackfoot Conus leprecus

height: 1.5-2'
range: throughout the western states , particularly near open trenches

The unfortunately named cone was discovered by late cone enthusiast Sir Edgar Henry Leper in the late 1980's. Its striking orange and black countenance often warns the wary passerby of impending ditches. It should not be confused with its deadly relative Conus Estheris.

Esther's Cone Conus estheris

height: 1.5'
range: Southern California and Eastern Wisconsin

Esther's cone should not be confused with its benign relative, Conus Leprecus. This cone is highly poisonous, and should be handled only with the greatest of care. The differences between the two can be remembered with this old rhyme: "Orange stripe around, Death abound, No stripe in sight, All is right" Esther's cone was named after young Esther Ludlum who licked this cone on a childish dare and promptly perished.