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CLASSIFICATION Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Cephalopoda Order: Nautilida Family: Nautilidae Genus: Nautilus Species: Nautilus pompilius
Emperor Nautilus by Ashlyn and Lexy
MOVEMENT The Nautilus moves in a see-saw movement using ''jet propulsion.'' It pulls water into the mantle cavity, then blows it out the siphon, which is underneath the tentacles.
REPRODUCTION Not too much is known about nautilus reproduction in the wild. Most information has been gathered from observations of protected environments. The nautilus takes 5-10 years to reach sexual maturity, which is a long time compared to other cephlopods. Emperor nautiluses use internal fertilization to reproduce, and then the eggs are expelled from the female's body with a leathery protective covering. Females then use their tentacles to attach the eggs to rocks, where they will remain for 9-12 months before hatching as a 3 cm baby nautilus. The eggs and the hatchlings of the emperor nautilus are the largest of all cephlopods.
HABITAT Nautiluses live in coral reefs in the South Pacific and Indian oceans, in waters 20 to 1000 feet (6 to 300 meters) deep. It moves to the deeper waters during the day to avoid predators and returns to the shallower water to hunt at night. FEEDING Nautiluses prey on crabs, shrimp, and fish, and also scavange for dead organisms. They use their grooved tentacles to grab food and pull it into a parrot-like beak. Food is most likely located by scent. NICHE Octopi, triggerfish, sharks, and sea turtles prey on the nautilus. People prize their beautiful shells.
SOMETHING IMPORTANT Unlike most other cephalopods that have a short life span, the chambered nautilus can live 16 or more years. SOMETHING UNIQUE The Emperor Nautilus is considered a ''living fossil.'' It is a relatively primative organism that has been traced back to before dinosaurs and bony fish, or so scientists say. Basically, it's been around for a VERY long time and hasn't changed.
CREDITS http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Nautilus+pompilius%20pompilius http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=168 http://www.aqua.org/animals_chamberednautilus.html http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar384420 http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/N/Nautilus_pompilius/ PICTURES http://www.iobis.org/images_new/ILNautlius.jpg http://hillbuzz.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/nautilus.jpg http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/clipart/uk/dk/rock/image_rock004.jpg
DESCRIPTION -Nautiluses are the only cephalopods that have a full, protective shell. They are born with four chambers in their shell and more are added as it grows. The animal actually lives in the outermost chamber of the spiral shell. The back chambers are closed and filled with nitrogen and other gases for bouyancy; liquid can be added to help dive. Adults' shells have an average of 30 chambers. The inside is coated with nacre, or mother-of-pearl, and are prized for their beauty. -Unlike some other cephalopods, nautilus' eyes are primitive and their vision is poor. They can have 90 or more suckerless tentacles, used for feeding and locomotion. -There are 6 species of nautilus, and the emperor nautilus (sometimes called a pearly nautilus) is the largest--the adult body being about the size of a fist and the adult shell measuring 8 inches (20cm) across.
NAUTILUS EATING A CRAB http://www.aqua.org/animals_nautilus-video.html
lexira added this comment 2009-04-29 19:02:05-05:00
http://www.aqua.org/animals_nautilus-video.html Link for video
lexira added this comment 2009-04-29 19:02:05-05:00
http://www.aqua.org/animals_nautilus-video.html Link for video
lexira added this comment 2009-04-29 19:02:05-05:00
http://www.aqua.org/animals_nautilus-video.html Link for video