searching for a deceased Nautilus

[NoahKD]

I'm writing with a strange request/inquiry.

I don't have experience owning and caring for saltwater fish though I'm quite interested in doing so at some point.

I'm an artist who creates work about the natural world. I've been fascinated with the Nautilus for many years and I want to locate one to make a mold of. For obvious reasons, to try to do this to a live animal would be difficult and cruel.

I would never purchase a live Nautilus to kill it or for the purpose of having it die and I would never want one to die on my behalf.

My hope is to find a pet store or individual that has a nautilus that has died of natural causes that I could purchase (perhaps one that has died recently and has been kept at a very low temperature to preserve it)

This may be a bad place to put such a request, but I wasn't sure where else to look. Also, I hope this doesn't come across as insensitive in any way.

If anyone knows about some way I could do this or somewhere I could inquire, any help would be greatly appreciated. If someone is aware of a way I could do this but is skeptical of my intentions, I'm happy to share more about my work.

 

[dread240]

I actually commend you for checking here, though generally our goal is to keep the animals alive, but things do happen.

I don't know anybody personally that has kept them up to this point though, but consider this a free bump for your search.

 

[KirbyBTF]

There is one in Austin for sale right now (Live still) For $100, unfortunately it will most likely not live, either in the hands of the new owner or because they probably dont have the ability to feed it properly (nothing against the store, but it's just the most likely scenario) PM me and ill be happy to shoot you their information if you want to contact them.

 

[Reeferz412]

If you know anyone in Key Largo, all of the tourist stores sell the shells (cut in half, whole, big or small) of the nautilus. Try checking ebay, im sure they are listed.

 

[NoahKD]

Dread240- I appreciate that

Kirby BTF- Thank you for the info. I am interested. I tried to send you a PM and it appears I need to post more to have PM privileges. Any chance you could PM me the contact info of the place?

Reefer412- thank you as well. However, I know lots of places to find the shells (ebay has an abundance of them) It is the body that I'm looking for.

 

[Calappidae]

A body is going to decay, smell really badly, and be all striveled up out of the water as well as discolored and pale.

You'd need one in wax or frozen from a research or educational supplier. I know "Carolina biological supply company" used to sell perserved dead squid, scoprions, and the like in wax but not sure about nautilus.

Maybe snap pictures of some in a public aquarium or carefully look and memorize them?

 

[Reeferz412]

My apologies Noah, I misunderstood. Best of luck on your search, I would have no clue where you get the actual body, I dont think people hold onto that too long... Obviously we all know why haha.

 

[NoahKD]

Reeferz412- No apologies needed. I appreciate the input!

 

[NoahKD]

Calappidae- I share those concerns. My hope was to get one in very cold water or frozen (or something along those lines) and make a mold of it before it starts to decompose. I'll check out the Carolina biological supply company. Thanks!