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The Nimble Nautilus Trivia Quiz

The nautilus is a fascinating sea creature! See how much you know about the "nimble nautilus" in this quiz!

A multiple-choice quiz by minisprint5. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
minisprint5

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
332,243

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
417

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Nautili are cephalopods, and share characteristics with other cephalopods, such as octopi and squids. Which of the following physical traits makes nautili unique from other cephalopods? Hint

Nautili have tentacles

Nautili are mollusks

Nautili can eject ink

Nautili have external shells

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Question 2 of 10

2. As is true of most cephalopods, nautili have formed eyes. Which of the following is true of a nautilus' sense of vision? Hint

The nautilus eye is a vestigial trait, and is non-functioning

The nautilus eye does not have a defined lens, resulting in poor eyesight

The nautilus eye has a cornea, resulting in very good eyesight

None of these

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Question 3 of 10

3. Like most sea creatures, the nautilus is fairly buoyant. How does a nautilus keep from sinking as it moves? Hint

The nautilus has gills, which filter enough oxygen into its flesh to float

The soft body of the nautilus contains multiple air sacs

The nautilus shell is chambered, holding gas inside

The nautilus uses its tentacles to quickly propel itself through water

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Question 4 of 10

4. Unlike squid and octopi, nautili are not typically eaten by humans. What does the diet of the nautilus typically consist of? Hint

Crab and other small crustaceans

Other nautili

Seaweed and other plant material

Plankton

5. One of the distinguishing physical features of the cephalopod is a set of tentacles. The octopus has eight tentacles of similar length, and the squid has ten tentacles, two of which are much longer than the others. How would one describe the tentacles of the nautilus? Hint

Eight tentacles of equal length

About 90 tentacles of equal length

Ten tentacles, two longer tentacles

Ten tentacles of equal length

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Question 6 of 10

6. You can often find a nautilus in an aquarium. Where in the wild can you find the nautilus? Hint

Subtropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean

Tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Polar regions of the Southern Ocean

The nautilus is only found in captivity

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Question 7 of 10

7. The nautilus has quite a distinctive shape. Which island nation features the shape of the nautilus shell prominently on its national emblem? Hint

Aruba

French Polynesia

New Zealand

New Caledonia

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Question 8 of 10

8. Like most sea creatures, the nautilus has a mechanism allowing it to swim. How does the nautilus push itself through water? Hint

The nautilus draws water into its body with a siphon, and forces the water back out like a jet

The nautilus attaches itself to larger sea creatures in an example of symbiosis

The nautilus uses its tentacles to propel its body

The nautilus uses its tentacles to stabilize itself in water, and moves with water currents

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Question 9 of 10

9. The nautilus has distinctive markings on the outside of its shell. What do these decorative markings look like? Hint

Zebra stripes

Checker-board

Polka dots

A color gradient

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Question 10 of 10

10. A vital part of the nautilus' digestive system is something called a radula. What is a radula? Hint

A tongue-like structure covered in tiny teeth

A tooth-like protrusion attached to the salivary gland

A small chamber filled with digestive juices, before the stomach

A small pouch connecting the stomach to the intestines

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Nautili are cephalopods, and share characteristics with other cephalopods, such as octopi and squids. Which of the following physical traits makes nautili unique from other cephalopods?

Answer: Nautili have external shells

In general, cephalopods have tentacles and can eject ink, and Cephalopoda is a class in the kingdom Mollusca. The nautilus is the only cephalopod with an external shell; however, most cephalopods do have shells, but their shells are internal, beneath layers of soft flesh.

2. As is true of most cephalopods, nautili have formed eyes. Which of the following is true of a nautilus' sense of vision?

Answer: The nautilus eye does not have a defined lens, resulting in poor eyesight

The eye of the nautilus is somewhat of an anomaly compared to other cephalopods. Squid and octopi have optical lenses and precise eyesight, while the nautilus has an eye comparable to a pin-hole camera, resulting in simple and imprecise eyesight. Cephalopods do not have corneas, but some squid have the capability of color vision.

3. Like most sea creatures, the nautilus is fairly buoyant. How does a nautilus keep from sinking as it moves?

Answer: The nautilus shell is chambered, holding gas inside

The shape of the nautilus shell can be described by a logarithmic spiral, a mathematical curve studied extensively by Jacob Bernoulli. This same spiral can be used to describe the shape of hurricanes and certain galaxies.

4. Unlike squid and octopi, nautili are not typically eaten by humans. What does the diet of the nautilus typically consist of?

Answer: Crab and other small crustaceans

The nautilus does not expend much energy with normal bodily functions. Because of this, the nautilus only needs to feed once per month.

Answer: About 90 tentacles of equal length

Not only does the nautilus have dozens of tentacles more than the squid and the octopus, but its tentacles also differ in structure. Octopi and squid have sucker-pads on their tentacles to grip objects, while nautili do not. Instead, nautili have tentacles with textured ridges, allowing them to grip objects, such as prey.

6. You can often find a nautilus in an aquarium. Where in the wild can you find the nautilus?

Answer: Tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans

The nautilus is found most often in waters surrounding the Australian continent, taking shelter in deep water by day, and hunting in shallow coral formations by night.

7. The nautilus has quite a distinctive shape. Which island nation features the shape of the nautilus shell prominently on its national emblem?

Answer: New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a group of islands constituent to France, located off the Australian coast. The nautilus shell is featured on New Caledonia's national emblem, and an artistic rendition of the shell is found on the nation's government flag. New Caledonia features the nautilus because the mollusk is found in the waters surrounding Australia.

8. Like most sea creatures, the nautilus has a mechanism allowing it to swim. How does the nautilus push itself through water?

Answer: The nautilus draws water into its body with a siphon, and forces the water back out like a jet

The system of jet propulsion found in the nautilus is quite effective; it uses little energy, and can allow the nautilus to move at a speed of two knots, or about one meter per second.

9. The nautilus has distinctive markings on the outside of its shell. What do these decorative markings look like?

Answer: Zebra stripes

The nautilus shell's brown pattern resembles that of a zebra stripe, and its beautiful markings make it a collector's item. The number of nautili, however, has decreased substantially due to overfishing to collect these shells.

10. A vital part of the nautilus' digestive system is something called a radula. What is a radula?

Answer: A tongue-like structure covered in tiny teeth

The radula is an anatomical feature present in every mollusk except for the bivalves, which include mussels and clams. The radula is unique; it is found only in the mollusk.

Source: Author minisprint5

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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