Nautilus - PAPO's figurine

The nautilus is a very ancient marine mollusc, a vestige of prehistory that is half a billion years old and older than the dinosaurs!

Within the class of cephalopods to which it belongs (like the octopus, cuttlefish or squid), the nautilus is the only one to have an external shell. It has 90 tentacles, measures between 15 and 24 cm and its lifespan can reach 20 years.

All species of nautilus live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This solitary creature hides between 500 and 700 m deep during the day and rises to surface waters at night to feed. It is a carnivorous animal that mainly eats invertebrates that it detects thanks to its sense of smell and is particularly fond of crustaceans (shrimp, hermit crabs, crabs, lobsters, etc.). It also feeds on fish, alive or dead, and other organic waste. The nautilus catches and holds its prey with its suckers that secrete a sticky mucus. With the help of its powerful jaws shaped like a parrot's beak, it can crush the shell of a shellfish! Like birds, its digestive system contains a crop in which it can store food for several days. Its spiral shape, beautiful colors and mother-of-pearl have made the nautilus shell a highly sought-after piece since the 16th century for making jewelry and art objects...