Dr. Ron, what kind of strange creature is this

[Mkman]

Dr. Ron, I don't have a picture but from description alone, maybe you can give me an idea what this creature is:

Its a strange snail that has orange stalks and an orange mouth. On its shell are lots of these white spikey things almost like in nature there are catepillars with them to display that they are poisonous. The shell looks like a cowrie type shell. Also, I looked at the fold of skin that covers its stalks have all these bristles like a bristleworm.

Is there any type of snail that even has this type of description???

[rshimek]

Hi,

It is probably a cowrie, but I would have to see an image to be able to verify that guess.

[Mkman]

Hi Dr. Ron, in your experience do some cowries have spikes on their shells? Are the spikes used to deter predators and also are some toxic?

Thanks

[rshimek]

Hi,

The spikes you would see would extensions of the animals fleshy mantle which would cover the shell. Generally, these are not toxic.