The Chambered Nautilus Sea Shell
Chambered Nautilus,
Nautilus pompilius Linneaus.
The Chambered Nautilus is a relative of the octopus-squid family and
serves as a true protective home for its occupant. The Nautilus shell is a
creamy white with brownish stripes and the interior has a beautiful
lustrous mother-of-pearl finish. The shell is structured with several gas-filled
chambers which increase in number as the animal grows. The shells' resident is a
member of the Cephalopods family and lives in the last chamber of the
shell. Each
segment of the shell is linked to adjacent chambers by a pore or sphinucle
which regulates the gas flow within the chambers permitting the animal to
dive to great depths without the extreme water pressure breaking
the shells structure.
