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Sought after for their beautiful shell with it's radial lines and mystic appearance, the chambered nautilus is found in Pacific waters in a fifteen degree band near the equator. Found in the phylum mollusca, class cephalopoda, Nautilus is the last surviving genus of the subclass Natuloidea. The nautilus has changed little in its four hundred million years of existence. Beginning as a heavy shelled bottom dweller the nautilus evolved into an efficient jet-propelled swimmer, much like it's relative the cuttlefish. With its many chambered shell and water jet propulsion system, the nautilus is a master of buoyancy control, every divers dream!
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In their natural environment, nautilus spend their time roaming the bottom by propelling themselves with a small flexible tube-like water jet. With the ability to direct this water jet to almost any angle they can negotiate the intricate cracks and crevices of the deep reef systems they call home. Above the propulsion tube is a beak-like mouth, much like that of an octopus. The beak is used to crack open shells that they feed upon. To help get food to its mouth a large number of sticky tentacles can quickly extend out and grab a passing meal. The entire living body is located within the first few inches of the outer shell opening and includes a tough outer skin which can be pulled in to cover and protect the nautilus from other predators.
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THIS IS HOW WE SET UP A TRAP AND RELEASE
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Nautilus live at depths between 500 to 1,000 feet deep, so if you happen to spot one passing by while your diving, you'd better check your depth! The best way to observe and photograph these fascinating creatures is to catch them in a trap which is set overnight. The trap consists of a simple box shaped frame, covered in a wire mesh and with a slightly funneled entrance hole, to allow for easy one way entry.
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Bait is suspended in the center of the trap with it's smell enticing the nautilus to enter. Nautilus are attractive to a variety of bait including some types of fish. However, my favorite choice of bait and the one I've had most success with is......chicken. That's right, a nice tasty CHICKEN makes for a happy nautilus!
The trap is baited and set late in the afternoon the day before the dive, at a depth of 1,000 feet! On the morning of the dive the trap is raised close to the surface where divers have an opportunity to observe and photograph these mysterious creatures of the deep. Because nautilus can so readily and efficiently adjust gases within their body, they are not harmed in any way by their journey to the surface where they are known to feed on occasion. The nautilus are eventually released by the divers and allowed to safely return at ease to their home in the oceans depths.
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NAUTILUS PHOTO DIVE: $20 per person / 8 person minimum.
The nautilus dive is incorporated into the first dive of your regularly scheduled dive trip and takes place along a deep outer reef wall. The trap is set at 1,000 feet and brought close to the surface prior to your dive. Divers may hold, observe and photograph nautilus at their leisure, then set the nautilus free to return to the deep while continuing their dive along the wall. Typical required dive depth is around 60 feet maximum. Please go to www.samstours.com for diving reservations.
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