This shell Atlantic Triton's trumpet ( Latin Name Charonia Variegate) occurs in the Western Atlantic, from North Carolina south to the northern coast of South America, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. This large shell species has also been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and off the Cape Verde Islands. Other species of tritons are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans where natives use then as an instrument or horn/trumpet. They break off the end of the shell and blow hard  the sound is quite distinct and is used as a means of communication. The Atlantic Triton is one of the largest and highly prized shells of this species. They feed on sandy bottoms near coral reef habitat. It most commonly occurs to a range of depths of about 10  100 fathoms. It is active mainly at night feeding on a variety of foods. I collected this specimen in the mid Atlantic by a wire trap at 60 fathoms  it is just over 11 inches in length. I am fortunate to have several in my shell collection.