Cuttlefish feed by using their extendable tentacles to catch prey as it moves past. The bite introduces a toxin, to quickly immobilise any troublesome prey. The largest species of cuttlefish in the world is the Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama which can grow up to one metre in length and weigh over 10kg. The smallest is Spirula spirula which rarely exceeds 45 mm in length. The largest british species is the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis which can grow to around 45cm in length.
Cuttlefish are exclusively marine species and can be found in most marine habitats from shallow seas to deep depths and in cold to tropical seas. Cuttlefish typically spend the winter in deep water and move into shallow coastal waters to breed in the spring and summer.
There are around one hundred species of cuttlefish around the world. Read on to learn about the cuttlefish. Like their cousin the squid, These creatures have a long mantle. However, unlike squid, which have two triangular fins on either side of the mantle, s have a single, long, undulating fin running down either side of their mantle. There are many species of cuttlefish, and they range drastically in size. While the average cuttlefish is 6 — 10 in.
Just like their cousin the octopus, cuttlefish are surprisingly intelligent compared to other invertebrates. All of the different species live in tropical or temperate waters. They are all oceanic, and need to live in saltwater to survive. Most species live in shallow waters, but some species will range as far as 2, ft. Different species live in seagrass beds, coral reefs , rocky outcrops, sandy seafloor, and more. The various species range across most temperate and tropical seas across the world, save for those off the coast of North, Central, and South America.
Each species has its own specific range and habitat, and some species overlap with others. While each species is different, most have a relatively similar diet. Cuttlefish share characteristics with their genetic cousins, octopuses, squid , and nautiluses.
Each species looks different from the next depending on where they live and the composition of the food webs to which they have adapted. In general, you could describe them as fat squids with short arms and tentacles.
They have a mantle the main body cavity that contains their internal organs like squid and a long, wavy fin used for movement that runs down the side of it. Cuttlefish vary in size but range from six to 20 inches in length.
Cuttlefish have two eyes, one on each side of their mantle, and W-shaped pupils. These animals — like their octopus cousins — are famous for their ability to change colors and in some cases textures to mimic their environments, despite being completely colorblind.
Their camouflage abilities are made possible by chromatophores — pigmented skin cells and muscles that contract and expand to darken the skin. They have beaked mouths beneath the eight suckered tentacles that hang from their face, but no teeth. Their brain-to-body ratio is one of the largest of any invertebrate, larger than that of most species of octopus. Each cuttlefish has a pair of undulating fins that span the length of their body and help the creature to swim and maneuver; for any quick movements, it propels itself by shooting water from its gut.
In the middle of eight forward-reaching tentacles, there is a small beak, which cuttlefish use to break open the shells of mollusks, crabs, and other crustaceans.
Cuttlefish also have two longer tentacles, with a single suction cup at each tip. They use these elongated arms to grab their prey. Cuttlefish have a short life span, but they grow quickly. They may only live one or two years, but some species can grow up to about 23 lbs
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