Main Characteristics of Cephalopods

• There are approximately 800 species of cephalopods.
• Octopuses, cuttlefish, and squids are all part of the cephalopod family.
• There are cephalopods with eight arms and with ten arms. The eight-armed ones include octopuses, while the ten-armed ones are cuttlefish and squids.
• Cephalopods have three hearts. Two of the hearts supply their arms, while the third one pumps blood to their body.
• Cephalopods have blue blood – because it contains a lot of copper.
• Cephalopods are carnivores. They mainly eat crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
• They catch their prey with their tentacles and bring it to their mouth. The mouth is located in the middle of their underside. It is quite hard and looks like a parrot's beak.
• Cephalopods can change their color in just seconds. They use this skill to blend in - for defense or hunting.
• When they feel threatened, they confuse their attackers by spraying a dark liquid that resembles ink.
• If a cephalopod loses an arm, it can grow it back in just a few months.
• Cephalopods are really smart and sensitive animals. Their memory is even better than ours. They can even dream.
• Among all animals, octopuses have the most flexible arms. They can twist them in any direction and even change their length. They also have a favorite arm: it's always the second arm from the center.
• The firefly squid has special color cells that can produce light. This ability is called bioluminescence. It uses the light for communication, camouflage, and to attract prey.
• Cephalopods usually live at depths of up to 650 feet (200 meters).
• However, there are also species that inhabit much deeper areas. The bigfin squid can survive at a depth of 20,381 feet (6,200 meters), and the Dumbo octopus can live at 22,825 feet (6,597 meters).
• The largest octopus is the Pacific giant octopus. It can have a wingspan of up to 32 feet (9.75 meters) and weigh as much as 600 pounds (272 kg).
• The largest squid is the colossal squid. It can have a wingspan of 32-45 feet (10-14 meters) and can weigh 1,200-1,500 pounds (600-700 kg). Its eyes can be as big as 10-12 inches (27-30 cm), and sometimes even 15-16 inches (40 cm). It might be the largest invertebrate in the world.
• The smallest octopus is the octopus Arborescens, which lives in the sea near Sri Lanka. It has a wingspan of 2 inches (5.1 cm).

Species List