The Cephalopods
Source: Kieren Curry | 30-Aug-09
Able to rapidly change colour and shape shift, capable of problem solving and complex communication. The Cephalopod family is rich and diverse and is one of my favorite marine groups.
Cephalopods the facts
• There are over 800 identified species of cephalopods these can roughly be categorized as the octopuses, the squids, the cuttle fish and the nautilus.
• Cephalopods live can be found in every ocean in the world and the earliest forms can be traced back to over 300 million years ago.
• Most species of cephalopod have three hearts.
• All Octopuses are venomous, but only the blue-ringed octopuses venom poses a serious threat to humans.
• The largest cephalopod is reputed to be the Colossal Squid reaching a length of 14 metres, this deep dwelling massive creature also possesses the largest eyes in the animal kingdom.
• Due to the nature of the cephalopods jet propulsion system, some are able to ‘fly’ great distances over 50 metres.
• Cephalopods have very complex eyes that can amazingly even sense gravity.
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