Friday Cephalopod: Hairy & slimy


Allonautilus scrobiculatus is a rare species that can be distinguishes from the natty Nautilus pompilius by its hairy, slimy shell. That doesn’t seem like a distinction to be proud of, but I guess it takes all types to fill an ocean.

Nautilus pompilius (left) swimming next to a rare Allonautilus scrobiculatus (right) off of Ndrova Island in Papua New Guinea.Peter Ward

Nautilus pompilius (left) swimming next to a rare Allonautilus scrobiculatus (right) off of Ndrova Island in Papua New Guinea.Peter Ward

Comments

  1. Callinectes says

    I wonder if that trait could ever leave fossil evidence. I wonder how many ammonites familiar to us may too have been hairy and slimy.

  2. Artor says

    Are the scrobiculatus hairy & slimy on their own, or is that a culture of bacteria or something they carry with them?

  3. DonDueed says

    I really enjoyed When Hairy Met Slimy. The scene where Meg Nautilus demonstrates “faking it” had me laughing my tentacles off.