Chambered Nautilusオウムガイ

Nautilus pompiliusVU— Vulnerable

The chambered nautilus is a living fossil-like cephalopod that has changed little in hundreds of millions of years, drifting through deep Pacific waters in a coiled, gas-filled shell whose chambers keep it precisely buoyant — a shell so pressure-sensitive it implodes below about 800 m.

Chambered Nautilus (reference photo)
Photo: Diego Tirira / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Nautilida / Nautilidae Source
Size
Shell diameter varies greatly by population, exceeding 20 cm in large individuals
Lifespan
Said to live from over ten to nearly twenty years
Diet
Carnivore Eats dead fish and shellfish and molted crustacean shells; unable to move quickly, it cannot catch live prey the way squid and octopuses do
Distribution
Found in the South Pacific and waters around Australia at depths of roughly 200-600 m; beyond about 800 m the shell can no longer withstand the water pressure and implodes. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • The English name "Nautilus" derives from the Greek word for "sailor" or "ship." Source
  • In ancient China, nautilus shells were fashioned into drinking cups known as "parrot cups." Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4

Susami Chouritsu Ebitokanino SuizokukanWakayama

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Aquamarine FukushimaFukushimaOpened in 2000

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Kyoto AquariumKyotoAbout a 15-minute walk from the central exit of JR Kyoto Station.

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Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

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Former facilities

Shima MarinelandMieOpened in 1970

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Closed: 2021-03-31 Official Site

Latest news

1

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How deep does the chambered nautilus live?
It typically lives at depths of about 200-600 m; if it descends past roughly 800 m, water pressure will crush its shell. Source
What does a chambered nautilus eat?
It scavenges on dead fish, crustacean molts, and other carrion, since it cannot swim fast enough to actively hunt live prey the way octopuses and squid do. Source
How long do chambered nautiluses live?
They are thought to live roughly 10-20 years, unusually long for a cephalopod. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org