Nearly all species included in this group have a strong family keness:  conical  in  shape  and  very wbstantial. Cone shells are heavy or light, and may be flat-topped or have an   extended   spire   they   may   be mooth or have spiral ornament. The great variety  of colors  and  patterns ayed within this group has made cones popular with shell collectors and these features identify most of them readily. Many species of cone have a small, narrow, corneous operculum. The periostracum can be either thin and silky, or thick and coarse. The animals of every single cone are carnivorous, feeding on other mollusks, worms, and small fish. By injecting venom through their teeth, they stun their prey before consuming it. Some species can sting so it is best to take precautions when collecting cones. Most live in the tropics on coral reefs.