Mail Online
Experts warn summer vacationers of hidden killer beach threat
People may pick up these shells, that are often found strewn on beaches on the US south coast, but they may contain an occupant that can deliver a de…
1k
106k
9k
920k
Museum Curator Recounts Harrowing Survival After Venomous Cone Snail Sting
Houston, TX – Tina Petway, the esteemed Associate Curator of Malacology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, recently shared a gripping personal account of survival involving one of the ocean's most dangerous creatures: the banded marble cone snail. Her story, which unfolded during a research expedition in the Solomon Islands, highlights the potent dangers of marine life. Petway recounted her experience of being stung by a live cone snail while conducting research on a reef. "I was out on a reef alone, standing in about four feet of water, when I realized one of these live specimens was crawling out of the sand toward me," Petway explained. Intending to study it, she carefully picked up the snail, knowing the end where its venomous darts emerge. However, the snail unexpectedly turned in her hand, delivering three rapid stings. "I did not realize it happened until I was holding this shell, looking at it, and realized this other hand was on fire," Petway stated. The venom quickly took effect, causing her to lose consciousness and vision as she made her way back to her hut. With no immediate medical help available, she took large amounts of antihistamine and applied papaya to her hand, a traditional remedy believed to help draw out the venom. Petway credits her careful handling and quick thinking for her survival. "I had made it through what could have been a very dangerous situation," she reflected. Her account serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers in nature and the importance of respecting even seemingly innocuous creatures. The Houston Museum of Natural Science invites visitors to explore the George W. Strake Hall of Malacology to learn more about these fascinating, yet perilous, mollusks.
