Guide Note

Cuttlefish are mollusks, closely related to the squid and octopus.

Fast Facts

Cuttlefish have eight arms and two tentacles
Have ink which they use for protection similar to squid, octopuses
W-shaped pupils
Change skin color for protection and communication
Can live in warm and cold waters
Have an internal shell called a cuttlbone
The cuttlbone is filled with gas which helps with buoyancy¹
Cuttlefish embryos have developed eyes which allow them to see out of their eggs ²
Largest brain-to-body size ratios of all the invertebrates³
Life span: Between 18 and 24 months, while females die shortly after spawning⁴

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Sepiida
Family: Sepiidae
Genus: Sepia

Body

There are over 100 known species of Cuttlefish on the planet. Every species has eight arms and two long tentacles. On each arm there are suckers, which help in catching prey, similar to the arms of an octopus. Their skin can change color the same way a chameleon's can in order to hide from predators. Their cuttlebone, or shell, is filled with gas which helps them stay afloat.¹

Categories

Science | Animals | Socially Built Pages

View Note History

Cuttlefish

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Cuttlefish Entry
PBS: Cuttlefish: Kings of Camouflage
TheCephalopoPage.org: Sepia officinalis, the Common Cuttlefish Information
The New York Times: Revealed: Secrets of the Camouflage Masters (February 19, 2008)
Buzzle.com: Cuttlefish Facts
NewScientist: Mathematics reveals the cuttlefish's wink (May 18, 2008)
YouTube: PBS Nova - Meet the Cuttlefish (Time 2:33)

Cuttlefish Background and Information

Wikipedia: Cuttlefish Entry
PBS: Cuttlefish: Kings of Camouflage
Marinebio.org: Cuttlefish Information
TheCephalopoPage.org: Sepia officinalis, the Common Cuttlefish Information
TheCephalopoPage.org: Cuttlefish Husbandry: Part I - What is a Cuttlefish anyway?
Buzzle.com: Cuttlefish Facts

Cuttlefish News and Articles

Google News: Latest Cuttlefish News
Whyalla Coast: Plan to rename Whyalla coastline Cuttlefish Coast (May 23, 2008)
The New York Times: Revealed: Secrets of the Camouflage Masters (February 19, 2008)
NotExactlyRocketScience: Cuttlefish tailor their defences to their predators (December 22, 2007)
NewScientist: Mathematics reveals the cuttlefish's wink (May 18, 2008)
Telegraph.co.uk: Cuttlefish gives clue for tank camouflage (March 2, 2002)

Cuttlefish Images

Google Video: Cuttlefish Search Results
Google Images: Cuttlefish Search Results
PicSearch.com: Cuttlefish Search Results
MSN Live Search: Cuttlefish Search Results
Flickr: Cuttlefish Search Results

Cuttlefish Videos

YouTube Video: Angry Cuttlefish (Time 2:17)
National Geographic: A cuttlefish swims near underwater plants in the ocean (Time 0:30)
YouTube Video: Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Time 0:54)
YouTube Vide: Chocolate Covered Cuttlefish Dare (Time 9:02)
YouTube Video: PBS Nova - Meet the Cuttlefish (Time 2:33)
YouTube Video: NYTimes.com Cuttlefish Camouflage (Time 5:16)

Cuttlefish Recipes

Food Network: Stuffed Cuttlefish: Seppie Ripiene
UKTV Food: Cuttlefish, Asparagus and Meatballs
Maninas Food Matters: Cuttlefish Risotto

Cuttlefish Books and Merchandise

Amazon.com: Cuttlefish Search Results
Google Books: Cuttlefish Search Results
Amazon.com: Postsingular (by Rudy Rucker)

Related Searches

Octopus | Squid | Mollusks | Cephalopods