Liguus virgineus (Linnaeus, 1758)

    This species is native to the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) east of Cuba where it is over-harvested for the shell craft trades. However, over the past 25 years there have been at least three separate reports of living specimens being found in the Florida Keys (Key Largo, Long Key, Key West). In one such report circa 1989, a U. S. Air Force Sergeant reported finding a living pair on a banana tree in his back yard while living in U. S. Government housing at Sigsbee Park in Key West. The two shells were positively identified by this scribe as Liguus virgineus, but their live collection in Key West could not be verified. Considering the substantial multi-service (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard) military presence in Key West over the years and the frequent travels made throughout the Caribbean, it's easy to envision some of these military personnel "bringing home" some colorful snails. 

Southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, September, 2010 (about 40 mm.).