Walmart Socio-Cultural Environment Essays

Walmart Socio-Cultural Environment Essays Walmart Socio-Cultural Environment Paper Walmart Socio-Cultural Environment Paper Wall-Marts social-cultural values have worked well for them. When a company is looking at its beliefs, they must consider their employees and the customer. Wall-Mart took this seriously. They based their culture on three basic beliefs: service to their customer, respect for the individual, and striving for excellence. They built that from a foundation of personal and moral integrity, honesty, and fairness. Wall-Mart created a Statement of Ethics to guide its employees on how to provide the best customer service to the customers and to the company. Wall-Mart also created global ethics to abide by the local laws and regulations of that country. If their Statement of Ethics is too relaxed, the employee must adhere to the local laws. Wall-Mart provides a global ethics office for employees to consult with if in doubt. There are many areas in the social-cultural environment that need to be considered domestically and globally. When Wall-Mart decided to go global, it followed its model that works so well here in the states. Without evaluating the culture, Wall-Mart almost failed when it expanded into Mexico. Luckily, after reworking their business model to fit into Mexico environment, they turned around what could have been a business disaster. Thats not to say they didnt learn from their mistakes. Wall-Mart expanded into Germany, but success was not in their sights. They once again used what worked in the states and could not recover from the devastation of not evaluating the German culture. Unfortunately, Wall-Mart had to pull out of Germany, but earned a very powerful lesson. Wall-Mart is now very successful in several other countries just as they are here in the states. Wall-Mart was most likely relying on the fact that cultural convergence is becoming more prevalent globally. Meaning basic human needs are universal in nature. This type of model may work for companies such as Coca-Cola or McDonalds, but has not worked for Wall-Mart. When providing goods and services, a company must look at work relationships, food choices, leisure activities, the roles of each ender, life expectancy, concern for the environment and so on.

What are Sensitivity Readers (And Should Authors Use Them)

What are Sensitivity Readers (And Should Authors Use Them) What are Sensitivity Readers? (And Should Authors Use Them?) A conversation is raging in the writing world and it’s not about the latest Harry Potter â€Å"backstory† that J.K. Rowling revealed on Twitter. Sensitivity readers lie at the heart of the debate - and the controversy has hit such heights that it has drawn attention from media outlets ranging from Literary Hub to the New York Times.For an author, the argument over the correct use of sensitivity readers might be smothering what they actually do. This post will clear the fog and uncover exactly what this kind of reader is - and what you can expect when you work with one. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have a better idea of whether you need one. What are sensitivity readers?Sensitivity readers are a subset of beta readers who review unpublished manuscripts with the express purpose of spotting cultural inaccuracies, representation issues, bias, stereotypes, or problematic language.While these readers are not new to the publishing landscape, they have recently risen to prominence. Thanks to encouragement from organizations like We Need Diverse Books, there has been an earnest push to include more diverse characters in published literature, though some of these good-faith efforts have met with mixed reception.Such readers particularly became a hot topic in 2016, when the pre-release of the young adult novel The Continent was quickly met with online reviews pointing out problematic portrayals of people of color. The book’s release date was pushed back and galley copies were sent off to sensitivity readers, which resulted in numerous changes. Which brings us to both the case for them - and against them. Asked and answered: What are sensitivity readers? Discover more inside this post The case for sensitivity readersPublishing has a diversity problem: not only is the industry predominantly white and middle-class, but the stories overwhelmingly feature white characters. In recent years, the tide has shown signs of turning as inclusion and equity have become increasingly sought-after in an effort to represent the variety of cultures and diverse backgrounds that make up the world.However, the reality is that while more diverse books are being published now, many of them are written by white authors. Writers, like all human beings, are the products of their upbringing and often have little real-world context for writing about a culture outside their own - hence where the skills of such specialized readers come into play. Feedback from such readers can:Ensure better representation on the page. As diversity in literature becomes increasingly in-demand, it’s important that characters are represented accurately, without perpetuating stereotypes. This kind of reade r helps by pointing out unintentionally insensitive or incorrect portrayals of race, sexuality, religion, and physical disabilities.Improve the quality of the book. All books benefit hugely from a multidimensional, rich, and nuanced cast of characters - something that the use of sensitivity readers will encourage, as the feedback can steer characters away from being one-note cardboard cutouts.Moreover, in today’s real-time and divisive online environment - spurred on by such sites as Twitter - this kind of reader helps prevent the worst-case scenario: backlash which results in a book being withdrawn from publication. For publishers, these readers can avert the embarrassing predicament of canceling a book launch on the back of a public apology. The Continent was far from the only book that sunk because of a turbulent online reaction to its representation of diversity: Amà ©lie Wen Zhao initially called off the summer 2019 publication of Blood Heir due to criticism of the w ay that her novel dealt with indentured labor and slavery.Zhao only recently announced that Blood Heir is back on schedule for publication - after editing the novel and â€Å"taking the time to make sure the hallmarks of human trafficking were being incisively drawn.†The case against sensitivity readersCensorship is generally at the heart of every argument against these readers. Their detractors are concerned that these readers police expression of thought, resulting in homogenous stories that are afraid to touch complex topics - and a sterilized world of books in which controversial language can’t be used.Though one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll hear for an author is to â€Å"write what you know,† some also argue that the increasingly looming need for such readers discourages authors from experimenting and writing outside of their own perspectives. As Francine Prose wrote in an article for the NY Books: â€Å"Should we dismiss Madame Bova ry because Flaubert lacked â€Å"lived experience† of what it meant to be a restless provincial housewife? Can we no longer read Othello because Shakespeare wasn’t black?†From this point of view, sensitivity readers monitor freedom of thought, which is antithetical to what creative writing should be all about.What can you expect from a sensitivity reader?With all of the debate around the topic, what actually goes into a reader’s work can easily get overlooked. So what exactly does it entail? Well, the entire process depends on the individual - but generally, the collaboration between reader and author plays out in four stages.1. Finding the right reader for the bookTo add value to a text, the reader must match the needs of the book. For instance, if you’re a white author writing a book with a black protagonist, your reader would ideally come from such a background and understand the nuances of 1. writing from such a perspective, and 2. depicting th e culture. Likewise, make sure that the reader is experienced in the genre. A reader that specializes in reading children’s books wouldn’t be a good fit for an adult genre novel, and vice versa.Here are some more best practices to keep in mind for the search:Expect to pay for a reader’s services. Prices will vary, but generally fixed prices start from $250 for a novel. Some sensitivity readers charge by the hour - make sure that you get it all down in a contract so that both of you are on the same page before starting the collaboration.Find a reader who understands publishing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they must be writers themselves - merely that they ought to understand the nuances of the writing process and be up-to-date on publishing debates. It shouldn’t just be any random person off the street - these readers are professionals in their own right and should know the ins and outs of the industry, as well as the contexts that require their knowledge.Set a firm deadline with the reader. Generally, the turnaround time is 2 to 5 weeks. Hash it out with the reader beforehand to avoid any confusion.As for where you can find these readers in the first place, the Writing in the Margins database is a good place to start. Ask around on Twitter and various writing communities - fellow writers will be happy to offer recommendations or share insight from past collaborations with sensitivity readers. "How to find the right sensitivity reader for your book" and more questions answered in this guide 2. Allow time for the reader to, well, readOnce the contract is ironed out and all of the details of the collaboration are fixed, the author will give the reader the entire manuscript to read. As we mentioned earlier, this stage usually takes between 2 to 5 weeks, depending on the length of the manuscript - the reader won’t be speedreading, but carefully evaluating characterizations, noting down sentences that are off, and appraising the tone of the book.3. Listen to the feedbackWhen the reader is done with the manuscript, it’s time for the reaction. It depends on the reader, but most of the time, feedback takes the form of comments in the margins of the manuscript and a detailed letter. Usually, a follow-up consultation, such as a phone call, can be taken up to resolve any lingering questions.Much of the time, the feedback will pinpoint things that an author might not have ever considered. As sensitivity reader Dhonielle Clayton revealed in an interview with Vulture: â€Å"I read a middle-grade book about a little black girl who loves to go to national parks, and I told the author that the first thing she needed to reconcile was, how did this black girl get into national parks? Historically, black people weren’t allowed to visit national parks, so going to national parks is not a thing we do, as a group. I wrote to her that if this little girl loves to camp, you need to figure out how that happened, how that passion was stoked, how her parents and grandparents felt about it. Or you have to make her white. Because otherwise it’s a paint by numbers diversity piece and it rings false.†Keep an open mind when you receive the feedback. The reader will point out blind spots - things that wouldn’t have occurred to an author who is writing about a different culture - and may raise delicate tonal questions. Like a developmental editor does for a manuscript, the criticism is ultimately meant to raise the quality of the book.4. Revise the manuscript accordinglyWhen the dust settles and all is said and done, it’s up to the author to make the final decision on whether or not to make the reader’s suggested edits. Nobody is stopping you from doing anything - on the contrary, a sensitivity read simply provides you with choices and information.What a sensitivity read offers is advice: it’s not compulsory to change the story according to their counsel, though it’s certainly recommended once you’ve reached this stage.Do you need a sensitivity reader?So do you as an author need a sensitivity reader?It depends on a number of variables: the subject on which you’re writing, your characters, and where you fall in the debate of censorship. Some writers may think, â€Å"Better safe than sorry,† while others believe that such readers are unnecessary. We’re not here to tell you what you should or should not do, but it’s important to be informed and to know ex actly what you’ll get out of the process if you do decide to hire a reader’s services.If it would be helpful to hear from authors who have previously worked with such readers, here are a few personal accounts that you can peruse before you go:Anna Hecker: The Problem with Sensitivity Readers Isn’t What You Think It IsJames Tilton: Sensitivity Readers! What Are They Good For?Literary Hub: On the Use of Sensitivity Readers in PublishingHave you used a sensitivity reader before and what's your take on them? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

International Business - Essay Example Pepsi-Co manufactures and sells a large variety of grain -based snacks, sweets, beverages, convenient food items. Pepsi-Co is trying to reduce the negative environmental impacts by taking optimal decisions in the scientific packaging, water, energy initiatives. From the fourth quadrants of 2007, Pepsi-Co announced a new organizational structure which is implemented in 2008. The three businesses have been added in the changed organization structure. 1. PAF- Pepsi-Co American Food including FLNA, LATIN AMERICAN SNACK BUSINSS called LAF, QFNA and also including their Gamesa business in Mexico. 2. Pepsi Co American Beverages (PAB) includes PBNA and also the others Latin American beverages. 3. Pepsi Co international which also includes the other PepsiCo business in Middle East and Africa, UK and Asia. In the first quarter of 2008, six segments were followed for 3 businesses. FLNA LAF QFNA PAB Middle East, Asia, Africa. UK & Europe. The scope of the study depends on the success and fulfilm ent of the objectives. The objective of the report is to analyse the strategic issues undertaken from 2008 including the organizational development issues and integration of the functional strategies of the business, the analysis of corporate culture and a sustainable competitive situation analysis. Methodology The methodology used here is qualitative research. The analysis is based on qualitative analysis and not quantitative analysis. The analysis is not based on the computations of mathematics; it is the judgmental analysis of the environment. The report does not include any mathematical calculation and it requires the delivery of the report in the same way. The qualitative research analysis is sourced from primary and secondary data analysis. The primary data comprises of first hand data which is collected directly from the field. For example, sample survey, population survey. But secondary research is the second hand research. Books, Magazines, Journals, Reports are the example s of the sources of secondary research. The research report in this case comprises of secondary research because primary data collection is time consuming and costly. Main Findings Strategic Management Pepsi Co. applied the diversification strategy as a part of the movement of organizational structural change. The strategic diagnosis can be done with the analysis of external and internal environment. In the changed scenario, the Market trend is as follows: Popularity of diet food items is on the rise where the calories used is low and market for non-carbonated beverages. Second dimension is on great –tasting, various flavours and styles. The consumer perception in this dimension has changed a lot. Consumer prefers the ready to drink and ready to eat products than other traditional food products and for this reason Pepsi also introduced some products under this product line. Consumer does not only limit themselves between the local brands but they want to have the flavour of g lobal branding. PESTEL stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, ecological and Legal Environment (Randall, 2001, p.78). Political Environment: After the shocking recession of 2008, the market protections increased by different governments. So the entry barrier was tough for the international market. The government tried to follow the protectionist policies even in the emerging markets. Economic Environment: During the period of recession

Graphic design and architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Graphic design and architecture - Essay Example Architecture and graphic design are fundamentally linked as communication tools, they may be coupled to create unique modern results, and the theory of design plays a role in cross-over of design elements between the two design disciplines. Architecture and graphic design are fundamentally applied forms of design, or those that work within a pragmatic framework and often designed for commercial applications (Andruchow). The two types of design share a fundamental goal: communication. Architectural design seeks to communicate to the viewer or occupant many different messages, ranging from practical issues such as how to navigate a building to more subjective areas, such as communicating the culture of the buildings intended occupants. Architecture used as a communication tool is particularly evident in modern constructions, such as the Prada building in New York, in which architecture is utilized to convey a brand image. The Prada building provides a unique example of the coupling of elements of graphic design with those of architectural design. The commonly accepted elements of design apply across the fields of design, and the Prada design leverages the elements of line, shape, texture, space, size, value, and color in both a three-dimensional architectural form and a two-dimensional juxtaposition of elements across the architectural form (Tuscaloosa K-12).

1031 Exchanges Essay -- essays research papers

Final Paper â€Å"1031 Exchanges – Insight for the real estate investor† This paper is written to provide a reasonably comprehensive overview of Section 1031 of the IRC as it pertains to real estate transactions, and to offer some thoughts on the wealth-creation advantages that 1031 Exchanges offer. For the greater part of the last decade, we in the United States have been witness to a consistently appreciating real estate market. Sometimes it seems that almost anyone who has purchased a house, piece of property, or other real estate type investment has done very well. I personally can point to a few examples where friends of mine have made several hundred times their first home equity investment. In sales of primary homes there is a tax advantage that the IRS permits, as long as the proceeds are invested into another home, the capital gains on your existing home sale are exempt from taxation. However, if the property in question is an investment, a capital gain tax is assessed every time there is a sale that includes a gain. A tax strategy that investors can employ in such situations is to transfer their investment property for another investment of â€Å"like-kind†, this is a Section 1031 Exchange. Under Section 1031, if all its guidelines are met, the exchange is not a taxable event. Also, similar to tax rules regarding reorganizations - in a 1031 Exchange there is no taxable event and therefore no step-up in basis. The wealth-creation advantage of a 1031 Exchange can be viewed in the chart below. The example depicts two sales of real estate, the initial assumption is that the property has been completely depreciated and the entire $100K of initial equity is a capital gain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Event 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Event 2   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typical Sale  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1031 Exchange  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Investment experiences 20% appreciation  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typical Sale  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1031 Exchange Equity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  100,000  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  100,000  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  160,000  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  200,000 Tax  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  20,000  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  0  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  16,000  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  0... ...y within the United States and personal property used predominantly outside the United States are not property of a like kind. (B) Predominant use Except as provided in subparagraph [1] (C) and (D), the predominant use of any property shall be determined based on— (i) in the case of the property relinquished in the exchange, the 2-year period ending on the date of such relinquishment, and (ii) in the case of the property acquired in the exchange, the 2-year period beginning on the date of such acquisition. (C) Property held for less than 2 years Except in the case of an exchange which is part of a transaction (or series of transactions) structured to avoid the purposes of this subsection— (i) only the periods the property was held by the person relinquishing the property (or any related person) shall be taken into account under subparagraph (B)(i), and (ii) only the periods the property was held by the person acquiring the property (or any related person) shall be taken into account under subparagraph (B)(ii). (D) Special rule for certain property Property described in any subparagraph of section 168 (g)(4) shall be treated as used predominantly in the United States.

Impossibility of Certainty in Hamlet

The Impossibility of Certainty in Hamlet â€Å"Doubt is that state of mind where the questioner faces no single answer nor the lack of one, but rather a choice between a pair of alternatives. † – Harry Levin in The Question of Hamlet It is appropriate that William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is regarded as the Bard’s greatest dramatic enigma, for misunderstanding is the unavoidable condition of Hamlet’s quest for certainties. Not only is Hamlet bewildered by puzzling visions and by commands seemingly incapable of fulfillment, but he is also the victim of misinterpretation by those around him.The dying Hamlet urges the honest Horatio to â€Å"report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied†, because none of the characters except for Horatio have caught more than a glimpse of Hamlet’s true situation (V. ii. 371-372). We as an observing audience, hearing the inner thoughts and secret plots of almost every significant character, should remember that we know vastly more than the play’s characters. In Hamlet, we cannot pretend that we are unaware of what happens next or how it all comes out  essay writer prank. This is Shakespeare’s richest source of dramatic irony.However, the characters are faced with rival options: to revenge or not to revenge, whether a Ghost comes from heaven or from hell. It is this doubt, this hesitancy in the face of two possibilities, that is central to Hamlet at every level. Hamlet is a play of misunderstanding and impediment. Its central theme is the elusiveness of knowledge and certainty. From the very first scene, the play establishes uncertainty through the interrogative dialogue between Barnado, Francisco, Marcellus, and Horatio: Barnardo: Who’s there? Francisco: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself Barnardo: Say, what, is Horatio there? Horatio: A piece of him. (I. i. 1-24) Having established a mood of fear and uncertainty, the apparition of the Ghost causes Horati o to declare â€Å"It harrows me with fear and wonder† (I. i. 51). This antithetical placement of words heightens the paranormal and eerie setting of the play. The â€Å"portentous† Ghost acts as an omen for what is to come (I. i. 121). The seemingly extravagant monologue where Claudius appeals to his subjects to accept the validity of his marriage to Gertrude hints that the new King is putting on a facade. Read more about Dramatic CriticismClaudius uses many oxymoronic phrases to try and reconcile the death of Old Hamlet and Claudius’ subsequent marriage to Gertrude such as, â€Å"With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage† (I. ii. 12). This rhythmically balanced but significantly dissonant sentence serves to highlight that there is something suspect and â€Å"Rotten† in the state of Denmark. Claudius further enforces the idea that nothing can really be trusted. Similarly, the relationship between the actions and internal thought processes of human beings is evident in the scheming Polonius.Polonius is also a man with little integrity capable of great deceit. He tells his son Laertes, â€Å"To thine own self be true† (I. iii. 84). But later Polonius enlists Reynaldo to spy on his son, stating, â€Å"Your bait of falsehood take this Carp of truth† (II. i. 70). This metaphor and the oxymoronic placement of â€Å"falsehood† and â€Å"truthà ¢â‚¬  exemplify the presence of duality in the play. He dismisses Reynaldo saying, â€Å"You have me, Have you not? † (II. i. 75). The uncertainty and lack of trust within the play is reflected in the chiastic syntax of this sentence.Polonius is distrusting of his own servant. The allusions to ancient Greece and Rome throughout Hamlet further support the ideas of duality and deception. Hamlet, in a simile, compares his father to Claudius like â€Å"Hyperion to a Satyr† (I. ii. 144). Hamlet later has the Players recite lines referring to the â€Å"ominous horse† of Troy (II. ii. 479). Polonius makes a reference to Brutus’ betrayal of Julius Caesar (III. ii. 109-110). All three of these references contribute to the duality and deception evident in the play.A Satyr is only half a man, the Trojan horse is heralded as one of the most treacherous and deceitful means of conquest, and Julius Caesar is murdered by people he thought were loyal to him. David Beving ton notes in his commentary on Hamlet that the name Claudius stems from two words. The first is the verb claudo, meaning â€Å"to imprison†. The second is the adjective claudus, meaning â€Å"disabled, wavering, or uncertain† (Bevington). It goes without saying that a character whose name literally means â€Å"uncertain† highlights the theme of doubt that is apparent through the whole play.The arrival of the Players and their presentation of â€Å"The Murder of Gonzago† in Act 3 also demonstrate duplicity within the text. Hamlet modifies the play within a play to have it reflect the murder of his father. This dramatic device conjures up the notion of appearance versus reality. The duality of Claudius, Polonius, and Hamlet demonstrate the lack of certainty and absolute truth within the play. The perpetual search for meaning and questioning of the established order within the play reflects the unattainability of truth and certainty in greater society.Hamlet ’s numerous soliloquies of self-questioning and self-loathing paint an image of a man overcome by excruciating self-observation. Morris Weitz notes that Hamlet’s speeches show signs of existentialism (â€Å"How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world†, I. ii. 137-138), relativism (â€Å"For there is nothing good nor but, but thinking makes it so†, I. ii. 268-270), and moral subjectivism (â€Å"Vicious mole of nature†¦in their birth†¦wherin†¦they are not guilty since nature cannot choose his origin†, I. iv. 27-29).Although the Greek Sophists had dabbled in these concepts, and Socrates had once said, â€Å"The only thing I know is that I know nothing†, this questioning of the societal and philosophical norms of the time was revolutionary and unparalleled (Weitz). The King at the time of Hamlet’s publication was James I, who had affirmed the â€Å"Divine Right of Kings† to rule. At a time when the sovereignty of the Monarchy reigned supreme, Hamlet’s questioning of the afterlife, (â€Å"To be, or not to be†¦what dreams may come†, III. i. 64-74), lamentation at the inequality n the world (â€Å"Th’ Oppressor†¦that patient merit of the unworthy takes†, III. i. 79-82), and rejection of the superiority of Monarchs (â€Å"Our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars’ shadows†, II. ii. 282-283), is a testament to the elusiveness of certainty and truth in the play. The themes of duality and deceit and the search for meaning and order are central to the essential message of Hamlet that certainty is unattainable. This duality makes up the entire structure of Hamlet, proving that, â€Å"A double blessing [truly] is a double grace† (I. iii. 58). Works Cited Bevington, David M. Introduction.Twentieth Century Interpretations of Hamlet ; a Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1968. 1-12. Print. Levin, Harry. â€Å"Interrogation, Doubt, Irony: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis. † The Question of Hamlet. New York: Oxford UP, 1959. 48+. Print. Weitz, Morris. Introduction. Hamlet and the Philosophy of Literary Criticism. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1964. Vii-Xiii. Print. Bibliography Bevington, David M. Introduction. Twentieth Century Interpretations of Hamlet ; a Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1968. 1-12. Print. Levin, Harry. Interrogation, Doubt, Irony: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis. † The Question of Hamlet. New York: Oxford UP, 1959. 48+. Print. Weitz, Morris. â€Å"Hamlet: Philosophy the Intruder. † Shakespeare, Philosophy, and Literature: Essays. Ed. Morris Weitz and Margaret Collins. New Studies in Aesthetics 10. New York: Lang, 1995. 17-33 Weitz, Morris. Introduction. Hamlet and the Philosophy of Literary Criticism. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1964. Vii-Xiii. Print. West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption. † Readings on Hamlet. By Don Nardo. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1999. 106-11. Print.

Nautilus Facts

The chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) is a large, mobile cephalopod which is called a living fossil and has been the subject of poetry, artwork, math, and jewelry. They have even inspired the names of submarines and exercise equipment. These animals have been around for about 500 million years—even before the dinosaurs. Fast Facts: Chambered Nautilus Scientific Name: Nautilus pompiliusCommon Name: Chambered nautilusBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: 8–10 inches in diameterWeight: Maximum of 2.8 poundsLifespan: 15–20 yearsDiet:  CarnivoreHabitat: Oceans in the Indo-Pacific regionConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description Nautiluses are invertebrates, cephalopods, and mollusks related to octopus, cuttlefish, and squid. Of all the cephalopods, nautiluses are the only animal to have a visible shell. The shell is not only beautiful, but it also provides protection. The nautilus can withdraw into the shell and seal it closed with a fleshy trapdoor called a hood. Nautilus shells can reach up to 8–10 inches in diameter. They are white on the underside with brown stripes on its upper side. This coloration helps  the nautilus blend into its surroundings. The shell of an adult nautilus contains over 30 chambers which form as the nautilus grows, following a genetically-hardwired shape known as a logarithmic spiral.  The nautiluss soft body is located in the largest, outermost chamber; the remainder of the chambers are ballast tanks that help the nautilus maintain buoyancy. When a nautilus approaches the surface, its chambers fill with gas. A duct called the siphuncle connects the chambers so that, when necessary, the nautilus can flood the chambers with water to make itself sink again. This water enters the mantle cavity and is expelled through a siphon. Chambered nautiluses have many more tentacles  than their squid, octopus and cuttlefish relatives. They have about 90 thin tentacles, which do not have suckers. Squid and cuttlefish have two and octopus have none. Geoff Brightling/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images Species These several species are in the Nautilidae family, including five species in the genus Nautilus (Nautilus belauensis, N. macromphalus, N. pompilius, N. repertus, and N. stenomphelus) and two species in the genus Allonautilus (Allonautilus perforatus and A.  scrobiculatus). The largest of the species is N. repertus (the emperor nautilus), with a shell measuring from 8 to 10 inches in diameter and soft body parts weighing nearly 2.8 pounds. The smallest is the bellybutton nautilus (N. macromphalus), which only grows 6–7 inches. ​ Allonautilus was recently  re-discovered  in the South Pacific after thought extinct for some 30 years. These animals have a distinctive, fuzzy-looking shell.   Habitat and Distribution Nautilus pompilius is only found in the dimly lit tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific region in southeast Asia and Australia. It is the most widespread of any of the nautiluses and like most of the species, it spends most of the day at depths up to 2,300 feet. At night it migrates slowly up the coral reef slopes to forage for food at about 250 feet deep. Diet and Behavior Nautiluses are primarily scavengers of dead crustaceans, fish, and other organisms, even other nautiluses. However, they do prey on (living) hermit crabs and dig in the soft sediments of the sea floor for small prey pieces. Nautiluses have poor vision with two large but primitive pinhole eyes. Under each eye is a fleshy papilla about a tenth of an inch long called a rhinophore that the nautilus uses to detect its prey. When a dead fish or crustacean is detected by the nautilus, it extends its thin tentacles and swims towards the prey.  The nautilus grips the prey with its tentacles and then rips it into shreds with their beak before passing it to the radula. A nautilus moves by jet propulsion. Water enters the mantle cavity and  is forced out the siphon to propel the nautilus backward, forward, or sideways. Reproduction and Offspring With a lifespan of 15–20 years, nautiluses are the longest-living cephalopods. They take from10 to more than 15 years to become sexually mature. Nautiluses must move into warmer tropical waters to mate, and then they mate sexually when the male transfers his sperm packet to the female using a modified tentacle called a spadix. The female produces between 10 and 20 eggs each year, laying them one at a time, a process that may last throughout the year. It can take up to a year for the eggs to hatch.   Richard Merritt FRPS/Moment/Getty Images Evolutionary History Long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, giant cephalopods swam in the sea.  The nautilus is the oldest cephalopod ancestor. It hasnt changed much over the last 500 million years, hence the name living fossil.   At first, prehistoric nautiloids had straight shells, but these evolved into a coiled shape. Prehistoric nautiluses had shells up to 10 feet in size. They dominated the seas, as fish hadnt yet evolved to compete with them for prey.  The nautiluss main prey was likely a type of arthropod called the trilobite. Threats None of the nautiluses are listed as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, ongoing threats to nautiluses are recognized, including over-harvesting, habitat loss, and climate change.  One climate change-related issue is ocean acidification, which affects the nautiluss ability to build its calcium carbonate-based shell. Nautilus populations in some areas (such as in the Philippines) are declining due to over-fishing.  Nautiluses are caught in baited traps to be sold as live specimens, meat, and shells. Shells are used to make handicrafts, buttons, and jewelry, while the meat is consumed and live animals are collected for aquariums and scientific research.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than half a  million nautiluses  were  imported into the U.S. from 2005–2008.   Intensive nautilus fisheries are short-lived and devastating to local populations. Within about a decade or two, the locations become commercially nonviable. Nautiluses are especially vulnerable to over-fishing due to their slow development and reproduction rates. Populations also seem to be isolated, with little gene flow between populations and less able to recover from a loss. Although the IUCN has not yet reviewed nautilus for inclusion on the Red List due to lack of data, in January 2017, the entire family of chambered nautiluses (Nautilidae) was listed in the U.S. CITES Appendix II. This means that CITES documentation will be required for import and re-export of these species and items made from them.   Saving the Nautilus To help nautiluses, you can support nautilus research and avoid purchasing products made of a nautilus shell.  These include the shells  themselves as well as pearls and other jewelry made from the nacre from the nautiluss shell.   Westend61/Westend61/Getty Images Sources Aquarium of the Pacific.  Chambered Nautilus.Barord, Gregory J., et al. Comparative Population Assessments of Nautilus Sp. In the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, and American Samoa Using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems. PLOS One 9.6 (2014): e100799. Print.Broad, William J. Loving the Chambered Nautilus to Death. The New York Times, October 24, 2011.Chambered nautilus. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs, 2017.  Daw, Adam and Gregory J. Barord. Aquarium Science: Husbandry of the Nautilus: Aspects of its Biology, Behavior, and Care. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, 2007.  Dunstan, Andrew J., Peter D. Ward, and N. Justin Marshall. Vertical Distribution and Migration Patterns of Nautilus Pompilius. PLOS One 6.2 (2011): e16311. Print.Jereb, P., and C. F. E. Robert, eds. Cephalopods of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known to Date. Vol. 1: Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). Rome: Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare, 2005.  Platt, John R. Should We Stop Selling Nautilus Shells? Scientific American, June 12, 2014.Urton, James. Rare nautilus sighted for the first time in three decades. UW News, University of Washington, August 25, 2015.