Babylonia spirata (and other Babylonia sp.) are widely eaten by residents of the Far East, and as such, can be found for sale (frozen and in the shell) in many oriental food stores across the United States (including here in Jacksonville). Because of this fact, the empty shells could turn up virtually anywhere. I recently acquired some specimens of same (w/o) which were consumed by my other half in Taiwan. >In July we went to the Keys and stayed on Tavernier. The >first shell I found was a perfect crabbed Babylonia spirata. I was excited >until I read that this species comes from eastern Asia. Someone probably >bought it at a shell store across the street and chucked it off the pier. Bill Frank 1865 Debutante Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645 Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at: http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm