Cuttlefishes Introduction: Cuttlefish are small to medium sized marine animals that belong to the class Cephalopoda, which also includes squids, and octopodes. Despite their name, cuttlefish are not fish but they are molluscs. There are more than 100 species of cuttlefish which significantly vary in size from the small ones of about 15 cm in length to the Australian giant cuttlefish which can grow to up to about 50 cm in length (excluding its tentacles) and about 10 kg in weight. Based on research findings, cuttlefish have one of the largest brain-to-body size ratios of all invertebrates indicating that cuttlefish are among the most intelligent invertebrates. Distribution and habitats: The family Sepiidae, which contains all cuttlefish, is found in shallow temperate and tropical waters. The wild cuttlefish are totally absent from the Americas except in aquariums and at research facilities. They are …show more content…
This ability make the animals blend with their surroundings not only for camouflage but also for communication such as during mating. The pigment cells (chromatophores) are responsible for releasing the pigment into the outer layer of animal’s skin. The pigmented chromatophores with its variety of colors (e.g. yellow, red, orange, brown, black, blue and green) can -when used in combinations- are responsible for the numerous colors which cuttlefish can display. It is claimed that cuttlefish are the fastest color changers in the whole animal kingdom. Swimming: Cuttlefish use their fins that surround their body for swimming. When quick movement is needed, they can rapidly expel water and move quickly by jet-propulsion. The bony structure “cuttlebone” is used to regulate the animal buoyancy through changing the gas-to-liquid ratio in the chambered cuttlebone that may be filled with gas and/or water depending on the position of the cuttlefish in the water