A TikTok user unknowingly came face-to-face with danger after casually picking up one of the world’s most venomous sea creatures—while filming herself.
What looked like an ordinary moment collecting seashells turned into a near-death experience for Beckylee Rawls, who shared the now-viral video on TikTok. In the clip, she’s seen strolling along a beach in Okinawa, Japan, before bending down to pick up what she thought was just another beautiful shell.
@beckyleeinoki I made a mistake that could have cost me everything. Share this with anyone who lives or vacations near the ocean so they’re aware of the danger of cone snails. #oceansafety #conesnail #marinelife #shelling #tidepool #coneshell #marinebiology ♬ DIM – Yves
Unaware of the danger, she holds it up to the camera to admire its stunning pattern, then gently places it back down in the sand. It wasn’t until later that she realized she had just handled a marbled cone snail—a highly venomous species capable of causing paralysis or even death.
In the caption of her video, Beckylee reflected on the encounter, writing:
“Last time I ever pick up a cone shell barehanded…”
Viewers were stunned once they learned how deadly the creature truly was.
In a follow-up post, Beckylee detailed the moment:
“Yep, that was me picking up a marbled cone snail—one of the deadliest creatures on Earth. Had no idea.”
She explained that she had been tidepooling in Okinawa when she spotted the shell, which is one of her favorites due to its intricate pattern.
“I picked it up, and then I noticed it was alive. The black and white tube sticking out is its siphon, which it breathes through,” she said.
“That’s also the part that can shoot a harpoon to inject venom into its prey.”
“I was literally playing with one of the most venomous creatures in the ocean. That venom can cause full paralysis… or worse.”
She ended with a warning:
“I hope my story spreads awareness—just because a shell looks pretty, doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
The video sparked a wave of shocked reactions in the comments.
One viewer wrote:
“Cone snails are among the deadliest animals on Earth. I hope you’re okay.”
Another shared a frighteningly similar experience:
“I did the same thing and handed it to my whole family—except my youngest sister, who refused because she’d seen a documentary about them. We didn’t believe her.”
A third added:
“How are we supposed to know these things?!”
Others issued warnings to fellow beachgoers:
“They’re everywhere in Florida and Hawaii. Never pick up cone shells in the water.”
There are roughly 700 known species of cone snails, and every single one is venomous. These dangerous sea creatures are typically found in warm, tropical waters—especially in the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, and coastal regions of Australia.
Beckylee’s close call is a powerful reminder: even the ocean’s most beautiful treasures can come with hidden dangers.
