Phylum Mollusca

Class Gastropoda

 

Family Cassididae

Helmets

Helmets live in sand and feed upon sea urchins.

 

 

Casmaria erinaceus kalosmodix

VIBEX HELMET

Rare in sand in deep water, usually found inhabited by hermit crab.  About 2.5 inches.

 

 

 

 

Casmaria ponderosa

PONDEROUS HELMET

Rarely found alive but commonly inhabited by hermit crabs at scuba depths.  About 1.5 inches.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

 

 

 

 

Cassis cornuta

Kewalo, Oahu, 90 feet

 

Kewalo, Oahu, 90 feet

Feeding on Urchin, Maui

 

Feeding on Urchin, Maui

Feeding on Urchin, Maui

 

Feeding on Urchin, Maui

Honokohau, Hawaii, 50 feet

Honokohau, Hawaii, 50 feet

 

Honokohau, Hawaii, 50 feet

 

Honokohau, Hawaii, 50 feet

Honokohau, Hawaii, 50 feet

 

 

HORNED HELMET

Locally common on sand at scuba depths.  Males have longer spines.  To at least 12 inches.

 

 

 

 

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