Carnivorous Murders Of The Deep

Cuttlefish and Squid are magnificent ocean animals, which are cephalopod molluscs not fish. They are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Their family includes Octopus and Nautiluses. They have eight long tentacles which have razor sharp teeth, plus a sharp beak-like mouth. They also have two larger tentacles for tasting and grabbing hold of their victims.

They are masters of transformation and the chameleons of the depths, using a wide range of colours to disguise themselves. Their patterns and colours match their environment, as well as conning others of their own type. Easily escaping detection and capture, they live off their wits.

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.

Both the cuttlefish and squid are the original jet propulsions of the deep, using a jet action to thrust through the water up to 15 kph. They also use a very efficient cover-up, of protein-based ink, to hide their escape route. This both frightens and confuses the predator. It is believed the ink is able to penetrate the hull of a submarine.

It is believed the squid has a life span of up to 500 years old, whereas the cuttlefish has a very short life span of just 18 months. This is because its unique circulatory system involves three hearts and copper (green coloured), instead of iron based blood. A circulatory system that requires so much energy, the cuttlefish literally 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 have the ability to hypnotize their victims. They simply point the tips of their arms towards their victims, as thin strobes of colour run from the back of their body towards the tips of their tentacles. This makes it appear as if concentric circles flow towards the viewer, thrusting the prey into an hypnotic state. Divers are warned to keep their distance from the animals.

The cuttlefish has an internal cuttlebone shell which makes the shape of the body, inside an enveloping cloak. The cuttlebone must ejects the bone as it grows.

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.