She finds a beautiful shell on the beach and immediately realizes that he almost made the “biggest mistake” of her life
She found a “cone snail,” a highly venomous species capable of causing anything from paralysis to death.
Beckylee Rawls, a 29-year-old woman, was out for a walk in Okinawa, Japan, where she lives with her husband. It was a rainy day, and they decided to explore some tide pools they often visited to observe various marine animals.While exploring, Rawls spotted a small, colorful shell sticking out of the sand and didn’t hesitate to pick it up. “Honestly, the only thing that went through my mind was: ‘Wow, that shell is beautiful — let me get a closer look,’” Rawls told People in an interview.
Out of curiosity, Beckylee grabbed the shell with her hands and brushed the sand off as she admired its striking patterns. But when she flipped it over, she realized something alive was inside the cone-shaped shell she was holding. It was her first time seeing a living creature inside a shell, and after setting it back down on the sand, she turned to the internet to figure out what she had found.
“That’s when I realized I might have just made the worst mistake of my life.”
The most venomous snail in the world
After her online search, she discovered that the cone snail is considered the most dangerous shell in the world. While the shell itself is harmless, the real danger lies in the sting of the venomous snail inside. There is no antidote for its venom, and it can sometimes contain enough poison to kill several humans.
An urban legend even nicknames this mollusk the “cigarette snail.” According to the legend, if it stings you, you won’t live long enough to finish a cigarette.
@beckyleeinoki If it’s a CONE leave it ALONE Know what shells to look out for so you can enjoy the beaches safely! Share this with someone who might be drawn to the cone shell’s beauty #coneshell #conesnail #shelling #oceansafety #beachcombing
♬ original sound - beckylee🌺
Viral on TikTok
Rawls shared her experience on TikTok to raise awareness and inform those unfamiliar with the cone snail, using the caption: “Learn from my mistake.” The video has since gone viral, amassing 27 million views and thousands of comments and reactions to Beckylee Rawls’ lucky — and dangerous — encounter.
Following the success of her first video, Rawls posted a ‘storytime’ video explaining the experience in more detail and how she processed the event in the days afterward.
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