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Insight Horizon Media

How old is the Argonaut?

Author

John Castro

Published Feb 22, 2026

How old is the Argonaut?

The flotilla Nguyen spotted off California showcases just one species of paper nautilus. Others swim the open ocean around the world. And while argonauts are not nearly as ancient as the ammonoids they reminded me of, they do have a respectable record—the oldest argonaut egg cases are around 15 million years old.

What is an Argonaut sea creature?

The argonauts (genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the family Argonautidae) are a group of pelagic octopuses. Argonauts are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They live in the open ocean, i.e. they are pelagic. Like most octopuses, they have a rounded body, eight limbs (arms) and no fins.

Are paper nautilus shells rare?

Doctor Julian Finn, senior curator of marine invertebrates at Museums Victoria said argonauts – who make nautilus paper shells – are not rare, but because they live their entire lives in the surface waters of open ocean, they are rarely encountered by people.

What is an Argonaut Shell?

Argonaut (Paper Nautilus) The argonaut, or paper nautilus, is actually an octopus. Females make a parchment-like shell to carry incubating eggs and control where they swim in the water column.

Is the Argonaut octopus real?

It’s an actual animal, alright, a rare and bizarre octopus that swims the open ocean: the argonaut. But those arms are no sails. It’s an actual animal, alright, a rare and bizarre octopus that swims the open ocean: the argonaut.

Are Argonauts endangered?

Not extinct
Argonaut/Extinction status

Is the Argonaut an octopus?

Argonauts are a type of octopus, while the nautilus is, well, a nautilus. Both species are cephalopods, the taxonomic class comprising all octopuses, cuttlefish, squid, and nautiluses. Argonauts happen to be the world’s only pelagic octopuses.

How much is a paper nautilus shell worth?

To give you some precise examples, a Nautilus (Allonautilus) perforatus 169mm will be found around $300 and a chambered Nautilus pompilus 208.5mm will be around $150.

Where are paper nautilus shells found?

Paper nautiluses are found in the open ocean in temperate and tropical waters. All are pelagic, meaning that they live in the water column. This is a different strategy than that of other octopuses who live on the ocean floor so they can dart into holes and crevices for protection.

What is a ghost octopus?

Now known as the ghost octopus, or “Casper” to some in honour of its resemblance to the friendly cartoon ghost, this species is so new it has yet to be identified with a common name. It belongs to the group of incirrate octopuses, and it is the deepest member of this group to have been discovered.

Why is Bell called argonaut?

The fact that Bell attained the skill Argonaut, which is named after the story of a boy who wants to be hero, signifies his strong desire to become a hero, which is the meaning of the kanji in the title of episode 8 英雄願望Argonaut .

Why is Bell called Argonaut?

What is the largest species in the genus Argonauta?

Argonauta argo is the largest species in the genus and also produces the largest eggcase, which may reach a length of 300 mm. The smallest species is Argonauta bottgeri, with a maximum recorded size of 67 mm. 3D red cyan glasses are recommended to view this image correctly.

What is the difference between Argonaut and Nautilus?

Argonaut (animal) They are also called paper nautiluses, referring to the paper-thin eggcase that females secrete. This structure lacks the gas-filled chambers present in chambered nautilus shells and is not a true cephalopod shell, but rather an evolutionary innovation unique to the genus Argonauta.

What are the characteristics of aragonauta?

Argonaut (animal) Argonauta species are characterised by very large eyes and small distal webs. [further explanation needed] The funnel–mantle locking apparatus is a major diagnostic feature of this taxon. It consists of knob-like cartilages in the mantle and corresponding depressions in the funnel.

What are the characteristics of an Argonaut beak?

The lateral wall of the beak has no notch near the wide crest. Argonaut beaks are most similar to those of Ocythoe tuberculata and Vitreledonella richardi, but differ in ‘leaning back’ to a greater degree than the former and having a more curved jaw angle than the latter. Feeding mostly occurs during the day.