Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus pompilius)

The Chambered Nautilus is a lightweight, thin-shelled species with a spirally coiled structure that becomes more distinct when sectioned. The shell is partitioned into chambers, which are connected by a hollow tube, allowing the animal to control its buoyancy.

Key Features:
Shape & Symmetry: Bilaterally symmetrical with a large aperture, but no umbilicus.

Color & Pattern: White or creamy-colored shell with zebra-like reddish stripes that radiate from the umbilical region but do not extend onto the broadest part of the body whorl.

Size: Averages around 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter.

Habitat: Free-swimming in the Indo-Pacific waters.

Scientific Classification:

Superfamily: Nautiloidea

Family: Nautilidae

Species: Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus

A Living Fossil

The Chambered Nautilus is an extremely rare and highly valuable species in Vietnam. It is often referred to as a “living fossil” due to its minimal evolutionary changes over the past 400 – 500 million years.

In Vietnam, Chambered Nautiluses are primarily found in the Khánh Hòa and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu regions. However, due to excessive harvesting for artisanal crafts and decorative purposes, their population has declined drastically, making them increasingly rare.

Currently, the United States has proposed including the Chambered Nautilus in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to regulate and restrict international trade in this endangered species.

Additional Information:

The Chambered Nautilus is highly valued for its beautiful shell, often used in home décor, jewelry, and artisanal crafts.