What is the difference between cuttlefish squid and octopus

Squid have long, fusiform torpedo-like body shapes, allowing them to zip through the water with ease. Using jet propulsion as well as two small fins at the top of their long mantle, squid are able to move forward and backward in the ocean with great speed and maneuverability.

There are more than types of squid that can be found in oceans world-wide. Squid are an important commercial fishery world-wide. Most squid are fished at night when huge lights are shined on the surface of the ocean to draw the squid up from the depths.

During the day, huge schools of squid stay in deeper water where the lack of sunlight allows them to hide from predators. At night, they migrate vertically to the surface in the safety of dark to hunt for prey. Here in Southern California, you can identify squid boats by their bright lights during the spring and early summer season.

Giant Squid grow incredibly quickly and reach their adult size of feet after just a few years. Scientists believe their lifespan is up to 5 years. Humboldt Squid see a specimen in Oddities travel in packs based on size. Younger smaller squid need to avoid the larger 6-foot adults or else they risk becoming a meal.

There is also a dwarf population of Chambered Nautilus that may be even smaller. At Birch Aquarium: Chambered Nautilus. Modern day nautilus are sometimes called living fossils, this is sort of true. Ammonites were common shelled cephalopods from about million years ago until they were practically wiped out during the K-PG extinction event — the same one that killed off the dinosaurs. Ancient ammonites, though they look like modern day nautilus, were actually more closely related to octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.

One of the largest differences between ancient ammonites and modern nautilus, is that paleontologists believe ammonites could retract into their shells, where as nautilus cannot. There are six different types of nautilus and all have external shells that they cannot retract into.

They have unusual arms compared to the rest of the cephalopods. Their arms are numerous often more than 90 and they do not have any suction cups. Instead, they have thin structures called cirri that retract in and out of sheaths at the end of each arm.

Both the squid and the cuttlefish perish after their brood has been laid. Cuttlefishes prefer to move slower than squids. Think of it like a pressurized coke bottle that suddenly flies everywhere. Since squids often eat animals larger than themselves, they use their radula to grind the pieces further. A radula comprises mini rows of sturdy teeth. Their color changes are thanks to their ability to use chromatophores.

After locating their prey, they eject water to get a clearer shot and use their tentacles to snatch their well-deserved meal faster than you can blink.

Flashing repetitive lights on their prey, some cuttlefish can use hypnosis during their hunt, making them move closer to them. An example of this is the Broadclub Cuttlefish, the second largest of its kind that can weigh over ten kilograms. From their tentacles to their mantles, both the squid and cuttlefish have become a staple dish in many countries. One of the most well-known food staples in the world is the calamari dish. It is tomato-based and with a velvet texture. While squid ink is often used in restaurants and homemade dishes, cuttlefish ink is an underrated ingredient.

Culturally, squids and cuttlefish have had their hand in the development of human life from our legends and medicine. Thanks to literature and oral storytelling, there have been stories of giant sea monsters rampaging across the ocean waves, bringing down boats, and gobbling up humans.

Descriptions of the hydra in Historiae Animalium accurately describe the head and tails of a giant squid itself. Its mysterious nature is almost magical thanks to its rare appearances on the surface.

The cuttlebone is pure calcium with salt properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, they call them Hai Piao Xiao. The cuttlebone can be used for ailments on the kidneys and stomach, and even to stop bleeding. Octopus: How Octopuses Work. These are both amazing alien like animals that are iridescent and awesome to observe in their environment. I was very young in San Felipe Mexico, handling the octopus and its tentacles attached to my arm.

I thought I was cool and it was cute until the beak broke my skin. I released the animal unharmed. The bite also gave me an overall sick reaction for about 24 hours after. Both have beaks. Squid swim in the open water and can school. I have avoided that thrill on purpose, for personal safety.