The Paper Nautilus Shell

     When you look at this paper nautilus shell, you see an anomaly. This is because the shell and its owner are among the most incredible and unique creatures on the planet. The paper nautilus shell belongs to a creature called the argonaut, which is a type of octopus. For millennia, nobody knew how the shell was created and what the argonaut used it for. Only recently, as of the 19th century, have we finally figured these things out. The argonaut has the ability to secrete a calcium-rich mucus from glands on its dorsal tentacles which can be built up to form a shell, making the argonaut the only creature with a shell that isn't grown off of the animal naturally. As for the purpose of the shell, instead of using it as protection, the argonaut uses the shell as a container to store and protect its eggs. This makes it the only sea creature that uses its shell for this purpose instead of personal protection.

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                                 By: Nate Griswold