Everything about the Nautilus is strange by modern standards; it’s almost as if it has lived in a time bubble, while the rest of the world has changed dramatically around it. Curiously it displays none of the intelligence possessed by its relatives such as the octopus- evidence has shown that they can solve puzzles, indulge in play and even have distinct personalities.

The nautilus moves like no other creature alive today, it doesn’t actually swim; instead it hangs in the water, as though caught on an invisible line. It moves by sucking water into its body cavity and squirting it out through a siphon like structure called a hyponome. However, this method of propulsion has major drawback when compared to its relatives. Squid and cuttlefish use jet propulsion with great effect, enabling them to create a lot of speed, thus making them efficient hunters. The nautilus is restricted by its shell, and can’t fit enough water inside to create a high enough pressure blast; therefore it has to make do with swimming backwards in a rather awkward fashion.

Due to its poor eyesight, it is limited to stalking crustaceans on the sea bed, but the nautilus does have something going for it. It is ultra energy efficient, meaning it only needs one good meal every two weeks. The nautilus cannot live at depths below 2500 feet, through its pressurised shell. If one were to risk venturing that deep, then its shell would explode. Also, they cannot survive for long in shallow water, as the warmth of the surface water will literally cook it inside its shell.