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Created 7/4/2017

Family Argonautidae

WARM SEAS WORLDWIDE

Argonauta argo

Bishop Museum



Lanikai Beach, O'ahu

PAPER NAUTILUS

A small pelagic octopus creates this fragile egg case that rarely washes ashore intact.  The largest shell is about 12 inches, but the animal itself is small; the largest females attain 4 inches, and short-lived males less than 1 inch.  Animals are found attached to and often feed upon large jellies.  The most common of six species.  One of six species of which this is the most common.  Hawaii & warm seas worldwide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argonauta