all "conus" snails are venomous. they hunt and eat marine worms or molluscs. the larger ones prey on small bottom-dwelling fish. cone snails use a hypodermic-like modified radula tooth and a venom gland to attack and paralyze their prey before eating it. the tooth is sometimes likened to a dart or a harpoon. it is barbed and can be extended some distance out from the mouth of the snail, at the end of the proboscis. they can "sting" humans, and should be handled with great care or preferably not at all.