Giant Cuttlefish
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© Nick Dawkins
Fast Facts
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Classification
- Genus
- Sepia
- Species
- apama
- Family
- Sepiidae
- Order
- Sepiida
- Class
- Cephalopoda
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 1 m
Introduction
About the Giant Cuttlefish
Cuttlefishes are often described as the 'chameleons of the sea'.
Identification
What does the Giant Cuttlefish look like?
Using cells known as chromatophores, the Giant Cuttlefish can put on spectacular displays, changing colour in an instant. By raising parts of its skin, it can also change shape and texture to imitate rock, sand or seaweed. These displays have various interpretations to other marine creatures and may be used for camouflage, mating or even hypnotising prey.
Habitat
Where does the Giant Cuttlefish live?
Giant Cuttlefish live in coastal waters, oceans, estuaries and seagrass.
Distribution
Where is the Giant Cuttlefish found?
The Giant Cuttlefish is found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and parts of Tasmania, to Ningaloo, Western Australia.
Biology
Other behaviours and adaptations of the Giant Cuttlefish
Cuttlebones from inside cuttlefishes are commonly washed up onto beaches. These are not actually bones but are made from calcium carbonate and help control buoyancy. The Giant Cuttlefish, which grows to almost 1 m (including its 10 tentacles), has a cuttlebone of about 60 cm. As cuttlefishes are a preferred food for dolphins, seals and sharks, teeth marks can sometimes be seen in the cuttlebones.
Life history cycle of the Giant Cuttlefish
The Giant Cuttlefish has a short life span of just two years. In the breeding season, thousands of Giant Cuttlefish come together to spawn, after which they soon die.
