Sepiidae
Sign in to saveCuttlefish, or cuttles, are marine molluscs of the family Sepiidae. They belong to the class Cephalopoda which also includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. Cuttlefish have a unique internal shell, the cuttlebone, which is used for control of buoyancy. They have large, W-shaped pupils, eight arms, and two tentacles furnished with denticulated suckers, with which they secure their prey. They generally range in size from , with the largest species, the giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama), reaching in mantle length and more than in mass.
Species
Cuttlefishes
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassCephalopoda
- OrderSepiida
- FamilySepiidae
Habitatmarine
via GBIF
Article
33 sectionsContents
- Nomenclature
- Taxonomy
- Fossil record
- Description
- Cuttlebone
- Visual system
- Arms and mantle cavity
- Suckers
- Circulatory system
- Ink
- Poison and venom
- Chromatic cells
- Chromatophores
- Iridophores
- Leucophores
- Biology
- Behavior
- Sleep-like behavior
- Communication
- Intraspecific
- Interspecific
- Camouflage
- Lifecycle
- Range and habitat
- Human uses
- As food
- Dye
- Metal casting
- Smart clothing
- Pets
- See also
- References
- External links
Cuttlefish, or cuttles, are marine molluscs of the family Sepiidae. They belong to the class Cephalopoda which also includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. Cuttlefish have a unique internal shell, the cuttlebone, which is used for control of buoyancy. They have large, W-shaped pupils, eight arms, and two tentacles furnished with denticulated suckers, with which they secure their prey. They generally range in size from , with the largest species, the giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama), reaching in mantle length and more than in mass.
Cuttlefish eat small molluscs, crabs, shrimp, fish, octopuses, worms, and other cuttlefish. Their predators include dolphins, larger fish (including sharks), seals, seabirds, and other cuttlefish. The typical life expectancy of a cuttlefish is about 1–2 years. Studies are said to indicate cuttlefish to be among the most intelligent invertebrates. Cuttlefish also have one of the largest brain-to-body size ratios of all invertebrates.