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Chambered Nautilus

Unlike its relatives, octopus and squids, the chambered nautilus lives in a shell. Most of this cephalopod is hidden, but if you look closely, you’ll see over 90 tentacles sticking out!

 

The chambered nautilus lives in the western Pacific Ocean as well as coastal areas of the Indian Ocean. It is relatively small, growing to around 12.7-22.9 centimeters ( 5-9 inches) long. Most of its soft body is tucked inside a hard, patterned shell that can be a variety of colors – white, orange, or even purple! As the nautilus grows, it can create chambers in this spiral shell, enlarging it and giving the nautilus space to expand into. These chambers also help the nautilus get around! It can pump air and water in and out of its shell using these chambers, allowing this unique animal to accelerate backwards and turn around. By using a siphon tube that runs through the center of these chambers, the nautilus can also regulate its buoyancy in the water and stay upright.

As it travels through the water, the chambered nautilus can use special sensors on its tentacles to pick up the scent of food like fish, crabs, and lobsters.  Often called a “living fossil,” this unusual animal has changed very little for hundreds of millions of years.

 

 

 

Chambered nautiluses are threatened primarily by overharvesting for the ornamental shell trade, as their beautiful shells are highly sought after. Their slow growth, late maturity, and low reproductive rates make them especially vulnerable to overfishing.

 

 

In the United States, the chambered nautilus is listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) – a law that protects imperiled species from disappearing forever and helps contribute to their recovery.13 Defending laws like the ESA is critical to helping to protect ocean biodiversity and restore abundant oceans. Join Oceana and help save the ESA from extinction.

 

 

Animal Diversity Web 

NOAA Fisheries 

Listing of Chambered Nautilus Under the Endangered Species Act 

NOAA Fisheries

Saunders, W. B., & Landman, N. H. (2010). Nautilus: The biology and paleobiology of a living fossil. Springer. 

 

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