Magnificent sea animals, cuttlefish and squid are not fish, but cephalopod molluscs. They are among the most intelligent species on planet earth, belonging to a family that includes Octopus and Nautiluses. With a sharp beak-like mouth, plus eight long tentacles, which have razor sharp teeth, they use two larger tentacles for tasting and grabbing hold of victims.
Being chameleons of the deep they are masters of transformation. They are able to use a wide range of colours to disguise themselves. They change colour and alter patterns according to what is around them, as well as conning others of their kind. Living off their wits, they easily escape detection and capture.
They are able to reveal both male and female colourings at the same time, along opposite sides of their body. Males aggressively guard the female, particularly when she is laying eggs, so another squid will show his female side to the interloper, fooling him into protective stance.
The original jet propulsions of the deep, both squid and cuttlefish use a jet action to thrust them through the sea at up to 15 kph. They also very efficiently cover-up their escape route, with the use of protein-based ink, which confuses and frightens the predator. Some way the ink has the ability to eat through the hull of a submarine.
Many believe squid have the ability to live up to 500 years of age, while a cuttlefish only lives around 18 months. The cuttlefish has a unique circulatory system that has three hearts and copper (green coloured), instead of an iron based blood. This circulatory system eats up so much energy the cuttlefish wears out in 18 months.
Cuttlefish like their own company and are unable to coexist even with their own species. However the squid will hunt at night, often in shoals of up to 1,500. Both creatures feed on fish, shrimp, crabs, molluscs, as well as.
Both can hypnotize their prey, by simply pointing the tips of their tentacles towards their victim. Slender strips of colour run from the back of their body towards the tips of their tentacles. This makes it appear like concentric circles are flowing towards the viewer, thrusting the victim into an hypnotic state. Divers are well warned to keep a respectable distance from the animals.
The cuttlefish has an encircling cloak that has an internal cuttlebone shell inside, which forms the shape of the body. As the cuttlefish grows it must eject the bone.
The biggest recorded squid was measured at 18 metres long and weighed nearly a ton. These giants are normally at home is in the dark unfriendly depths of the ocean. Giant squid have the biggest eyes of the animal world, measuring up to 25 centimeters in diameter.
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