Monsters That Hide In The Deep

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.



As masters of transformation they are the chameleons of the deep. Using a wide variety of colours they disguise themselves. They alter colour and change patterns according to their surroundings, as well as fooling others of their own species. They live off their wits, easily escaping detection and capture.



They are able to display both male and female colourings at the same time, along opposite sides of their body. Males will aggressively guard the female, particularly when she is egg-laying. When a squid is threatened it will show his female side to the interloper, conning him into protective attitude.



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 scientists believe squid can live to be 500 years old, but a cuttlefish have a very short life span of around 18 months. This is because of a unique circulatory system that has three hearts and copper (green coloured), instead of an iron based blood. The circulatory system requires so much energy to maintain, the cuttlefish wears out in 18 months.



Cuttlefish are solitary creatures and not able to coexist even with their own kind. However the squid will hunt at night, often in groups of up to 1,500. Both creatures feed on crabs, fish, shrimp, molluscs, as well as others of their own species.



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.



Only the cuttlefish has an encircling cloak that has an internal cuttlebone shell inside forming the shape of the body. For the cuttlefish to grow it must eject the bone.



Weighing nearly a ton, the largest recorded squid was measured at 18 metres long. The home of these giants is normally in the dark unfriendly depths of the ocean. Measuring up to 25 centimeters in diameter, giant squid have the largest eyes of the animal world.