Charonia tritonis (giant triton snail) 1 (24492097325)

Description:

Description: Charonia tritonis (Linnaeus, 1758) - giant triton snail (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA) The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores. From museum signage: "Charonia tritonis (Linnaeus, 1758) Triton trumpet This magnificent shell is traditionally used as a trumpet by the Polynesians and other Southwest Pacific peoples. It may reach 50 cm (20 inches). Living triton trumpets feed on the crown-of-thorns and other sea stars. A very similar species, the Atlantic trumpet triton, Charonia variegata, is found in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico." Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Rannelidae More info. at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charonia_tritonis. Date: 4 January 2016, 12:18. Source: Charonia tritonis (giant triton snail) 1. Author: James St. John.