Table 2

Naturally occurring Botulism	Naturally occurring Cone Snail
Frequently from ingesting improperly canned foods.	Handling or touching a cone snail and feeling a sting.
No numbness.	Numbness at site of sting.
Descending paralysis.	Descending paralysis not described.
Widespread muscle paralysis	Widespread muscle paralysis
No paresthesias or generalized numbness.	Paresthesias and generalized numbness.
Speech difficulties, urinary retention and double vision.	Speech difficulties, urinary retention and double vision
Death is often from respiratory arrest secondary to diaphragm paralysis.	Death is from diaphragm paralysis or cardiovascular collapse.
Onset is a matter of days.	Onset is a matter of hours.
Recovery takes months (without antitoxin). Recovery from botulinum F is a shorter duration.	Recovery takes days.

Table 2: Chart compares naturally occurring botulism (especially types A, B and E) to a cone snail envenomation. This comparison includes cone snails that produce α-conotoxins. Not all cases of botulism result from improperly canned food. The toxicity with cone snails will vary with species.