Nautiluses are marine animals that belong to the cephalopod family, which also includes octopuses and cuttlefish. They have a spiral shell and are the only remaining species of the once-diverse group of cephalopods known as the nautiloids.
They have a unique system of gas-filled chambers that allows them to control their buoyancy. Nautiluses can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter and weigh up to 20 pounds (9 kg).
Nautiluses are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, typically at depths of around 660-2,300 feet (200-700 m).
Nautiluses are carnivorous and feed on crustaceans, fish, and other invertebrates.
Nautiluses are relatively slow-moving and spend most of their time in deeper waters. They are nocturnal animals and are known to migrate to shallower waters at night to hunt for food.
There are currently six recognized species of Nautilus, all belonging to the family Nautilidae. The most well-known species is the chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius), which has a distinctive spiral shell and is found throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Are they endangered? Nautiluses are considered to be vulnerable to extinction due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Populations have been severely depleted by commercial harvest for their shells, and their slow reproductive rate makes it difficult for populations to recover.