This is a large, solid shell wich is sculptured by many weak, vertical folds and occasional thickened lumps (varices), these are crossed by fine spiral threads. The aperture is almost circular and is flanked by a sharp, internally toothed outer lip and a large sheild over the columella. the colour is red brown to buff with darker brown spiral stripes. It can be covered by a dense dark brown periostracum (outer cover), which is velvety and can obscure the colour pattern.

They are found on rocky reefs and are not common (more so in the south). They are found from the low intertidal to 180m deep. Cam reach 120mm in length.

Trumpet shells can eat sea uchins and shellish. The shells of preys are pierced using their sharp radula (rasping tongue) and acid saliva.

Coastal Marine Inverts Vol 1