Emperor Nautilus
NameEmperor Nautilus
Scientific NameNautilus pompilius
Common NameEmperor Nautilus
FamilyNautilidae
GenusNautilus
Speciespompilius
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas from the Andaman Sea to Fiji, and from southern Japan to central Queensland, Australia.
Shell Shapeglobose
Average Size (mm)150
Identifying FeaturesDistinctive striped, coiled, chambered shell; large, textured, reddish-brown hood covering the head; simple, pinhole eyes; numerous cirri (tentacles) without suckers; and a unique buoyancy system involving gas-filled chambers.
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
The Emperor Nautilus is a living fossil, a cephalopod mollusk characterized by its large, chambered, and coiled shell. The shell is smooth, predominantly white or cream-colored, adorned with striking reddish-brown to orange-brown wavy stripes on the dorsal side, while the ventral side remains lighter. The animal itself possesses a distinctive, textured, reddish-brown hood that covers its head, and simple pinhole eyes are visible. It is a deep-sea creature, known for its unique buoyancy control system using gas-filled chambers within its shell.
