Melbourne Marine Biologist Rescues Rare Paper Nautilus From Shallow Waters

A marine biologist documented her rescue of a rare paper nautilus, “one of the ocean’s weirdest animals,” as she helped the cephalopod find its way back into deeper waters.

Australian marine biologist and diver Sheree Marris told Storyful that she saw the “crimson object” in ankle-deep water before she even had a chance to put her mask on.

“Looking closer I realized immediately what it was,” she said, “a female paper nautilus who was clearly trapped and floundering in the sandy shallows.”

Paper nautilus, also known as argonauts, are a type of octopus found in the open ocean. According to National Geographic, the females make a parchment-like shell to carry incubating eggs and control where they swim.

In the video, the argonaut can be seen rolling around the sand. “I could immediately tell she was in trouble and stressed,” Marris said. “When I approached, she inked, which is a defense mechanism.”

Marris picked up the small cephalopod and swam her “far out into deeper waters and away from the marina and any boats.”

She documented the rescue in a four-part series of photos and videos, which she posted to her Instagram account between May 26 and July 2. Credit: Sheree Marris via Storyful

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