- T.Baecher. Released to public domain.
- Photo taken at Berlin Zoo and Aquarium
The chambered nautilus, a cephalopod, is a relative of the ancient ammonoids and a modern relative of squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. Unlike its relatives, the nautilus has an external shell. It inhabits ocean waters close to the sea floor during the day, migrating to shallower water at night in search of prey.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Tropical western Pacific
- Amazing Facts
In 1997-98 paleontologists used DNA techniques to compare tissues from today’s animals to those of millions-of-years-old fossil nautiloids, dating to the time when California and Washington State were under the ocean. These studies confirmed the belief that the species Nautilus pompilius is a living fossil.
- At the Aquarium
The chambered nautilus is no longer on exhibit. This information is supplied for use as a reference.