Cephalopods | Cephalopoda

Cephalopods | Cephalopoda

Description
Description

Cephalopods, belonging to the class Cephalopoda, are a group of mollusks that include squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Known for their remarkable intelligence, these marine creatures possess highly developed nervous systems, complex eyes, and the ability to change color and texture instantly for communication and camouflage. Cephalopods inhabit diverse marine environments, from shallow reefs to the deep sea. Their lineage dates back over 500 million years, evolving from shelled ancestors to present-day forms, some with reduced or internal shells. Their evolutionary journey has made them masterful adaptors, with sophisticated hunting strategies and an uncanny ability to elude predators, playing crucial roles in marine ecosystems.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Cephalopods, like octopuses and squids, are fascinating marine creatures with soft, flexible bodies. They don't have bones, which lets them squeeze into tight spaces. Instead of a skeleton, some have a stiff structure called a pen or shell for support. They move by jet propulsion, squirting water out of their bodies to zoom through the ocean. Their heads are distinct, with large, complex eyes that provide excellent vision. They have tentacles or arms with suckers for grabbing food and exploring. While they don't make sounds we can hear, they communicate using changing colors and patterns on their skin, a trait unique in the animal kingdom.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

Cephalopods have long captivated human imagination with their alien-like appearance and remarkable intelligence. Ancient mariners spun tales of giant squid and octopuses, inspiring sea monsters in mythology. Today, they are popular in media, from the calculating octopus in "Finding Dory" to the enigmatic creatures in literary works like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Scientific fascination has led to studies revealing their problem-solving abilities and unique behavior, enhancing their mystique.

While they feature in global cuisines, overfishing and habitat destruction pose threats, prompting conservation efforts. Marine reserves and sustainable fishing practices are increasingly advocated to protect these intriguing denizens of the deep.

Common Questions
Common Questions
How do cephalopods move?

The main way cephalopods move is through a form of jet propulsion. They do so by drawing water into their mantle cavity and over their gills. Once the cephalopod wants to move it contracts the muscles of the mantle cavity, and water is squeezed out with enough power to propel itself in the desired direction.

What do cephalopods eat?

Cephalopods are predators and are not picky carnivores. Cephalopods typically eat crustaceans, fish, bivalves, jellyfish, and even other cephalopods. They tend to hunt at the surface of water at night without the threat of predators seeing them. Once the sun rises, they go down to deeper and darker water.

How do cephalopods mate?

Mating for cephalopods is an event that only happens once in their life, as they both die shortly after mating. When females are ready to mate, they will display a certain color. The male will mate with her by placing his sperm in the female’s pallial cavity, with a tentacle called the hectocotylus. The female cephalopod then lays the fertilized eggs.

Animals

* Under Development *

9.8”-15” | 25-38 cm
.35-3.1 lb | .16-1.4 kg
.5-1 year
Bigfin Reef Squid
38.000
1.400
1.00
1600
GUIDE
3D
Bigfin Reef Squid
13’-26.25’ | 4-8 m
.35-3.1 lb | .16-1.4 kg
Bigfin Squid
800.000
1.400
55450
GUIDE
3D
Bigfin Squid
18”-23” | 46-58 cm (Arm)
4.4-8.8 lb | 2-4 kg
1-2 years
California Two-Spot Octopus
58.000
4.000
2.00
1500
GUIDE
3D
California Two-Spot Octopus
19.7”-23.6” | 50-60 cm (Arm)
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
10-12 months
Caribbean Reef Octopus
60.000
1.500
1.00
1060
GUIDE
3D
Caribbean Reef Octopus
4.7”-7.9” | 12-20 cm
1-3 years
Caribbean Reef Squid
20.000
3.00
1590
GUIDE
3D
Caribbean Reef Squid
6.3”-8.3” | 16-21 cm
.88-1.3 lb | .4-.6 kg
15-20 years
Chambered Nautilus
21.000
0.600
20.00
15400
GUIDE
3D
Chambered Nautilus
9.8’-13.1’ | 3-4 m
2-3 years
Cockatoo Squid
400.000
3.00
730
GUIDE
3D
Cockatoo Squid
2.75”-3.5” | 7-9 cm (Arm)
.5-1.5 lb | .23-.69 kg
3-5 years
Coconut Octopus
9.000
0.690
5.00
4450
GUIDE
3D
Coconut Octopus
30’-49’ | 9-15 m
330-1091 lb | 150-495 kg
Colossal Squid
1500.000
495.000
137100
GUIDE
3D
Colossal Squid
6’-6.6’ | 1.83-2 m
~2.2 lb | 1 kg
3-5 years
Common Blanket Octopus
200.000
1.000
5.00
630
GUIDE
3D
Common Blanket Octopus
6”-10” | 15-25 cm
4.4-8.8 lb | 2-4 kg
1-2 years
Common Cuttlefish
25.000
4.000
2.00
9100
GUIDE
3D
Common Cuttlefish
29.9”-39.4” | 76-100 cm (Arm)
6.6-22 lb | 3-10 kg
1-2 years
Common Octopus
100.000
10.000
2.00
22300
GUIDE
3D
Common Octopus
39”-51” | 99-130 cm
44-66 lb | 20-30 kg
1 year
Diamond Squid
130.000
30.000
1.00
750
GUIDE
3D
Diamond Squid
7.9”-11.8” | 20-30 cm
2-13 lb | .9-5.9 kg
3-5 years
Dumbo Octopus
30.000
5.900
5.00
94040
GUIDE
3D
Dumbo Octopus
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm (Arm)
.22-.88 lb | .1-.4 kg
1-2 years
East Pacific Red Octopus
50.000
0.400
2.00
660
GUIDE
3D
East Pacific Red Octopus
3.9”-5.1” | 10-13 cm
.66-.88 lb | .3-.4 kg
1.5-2 years
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
13.000
0.400
2.00
5800
GUIDE
3D
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
7’-13’ | 2.13-3.96 m (Arm)
22-110 lb | 10-50 kg
3-5 years
Giant Pacific Octopus
396.000
50.000
5.00
35000
GUIDE
3D
Giant Pacific Octopus
3’-5’6” | .91-1.68 m
33’-46’ | 10-14 m
440-2,000 lb | 200-907 kg
2-5 years
Giant Squid
168.000
1400.000
907.000
5.00
88000
GUIDE
3D
Giant Squid
15.75”-17.7” | 40-45 cm
.06-.07 lb | .025-.03 kg
Glass Octopus
45.000
0.030
14800
GUIDE
3D
Glass Octopus
11.8”-17.7” | 30-45 cm
.06-.07 lb | .025-.03 kg
1 year
Greater Argonaut
45.000
0.030
1.00
1320
GUIDE
3D
Greater Argonaut
4.7”-5.9” | 12-15 cm
.02-.22 lb | .01-.1 kg
2-3 years
Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus
15.000
0.100
3.00
650
GUIDE
3D
Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus
4.9’-8.2’ | 1.5-2.5 m
99-110 lb | 45-50 kg
1-2 years
Humboldt Squid
250.000
50.000
2.00
28600
GUIDE
3D
Humboldt Squid
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm
.22-1.1 lb | .1-.5 kg
1 year
Japanese Flying Squid
50.000
0.500
1.00
1600
GUIDE
3D
Japanese Flying Squid
4.7”-5.9” | 12-15 cm
1 year
Japanese Squid
15.000
1.00
2100
GUIDE
3D
Japanese Squid
23.6”-27.6” | 60-70 cm
5-20 lb | 2.3-9.1 kg
.75-2 years
Mimic Octopus
70.000
9.100
2.00
16350
GUIDE
3D
Mimic Octopus
9.5’-11.5’ | 2.9-3.5 m
135-165 lb | 61-75 kg
2-10 years
Seven-Arm Octopus
350.000
75.000
10.00
1300
GUIDE
3D
Seven-Arm Octopus
.8”-1” | 2-2.5 cm
~.002 lb | .001 kg
.5-1.5 years
Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus
2.500
0.001
1.50
1120
GUIDE
3D
Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus
13”-39.4” | 33-100 cm
Strawberry Squid
100.000
17890
GUIDE
3D
Strawberry Squid
4.3”-10.6” | 11-27 cm
Telescope Octopus
27.000
2440
GUIDE
3D
Telescope Octopus
6”-12” | 15-30 cm
~1 lb | .45 kg
6-10 years
Vampire Squid
30.000
0.450
10.00
79600
GUIDE
3D
Vampire Squid
Glass Octopus (Vitreledonella richardi)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Glass Octopus compared to other cephalopods

The Glass Octopus (Vitreledonella richardi) is a transparent almost colorless cephalopod and is often compared to a living glass sculpture. Their eyes are rectangular in shape and their translucent skin serves as a defense mechanism against possible predators. The Glass Octopus can be found throughout the world in almost all tropical and subtropical waters. They tend to stay in the water depths of between 656 ft (200 m) to 13,123 ft (4,000 m). This species of octopus is rarely encountered by humans thus it is one of the least studied cephalopods. It is assumed their diet is made up of fish and small crustaceans.

The Glass Octopus has an overall length between 15.75”-17.7” (40-45 cm), mantle length of 3.5”-4.7” (9-12 cm), and weight of .06-.07 lb (.025-.03 kg).

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Glass Octopus
The Glass Octopus (Vitreledonella richardi) is a transparent almost colorless cephalopod and is often compared to a living glass sculpture. Their eyes are rectangular in shape and their translucent skin serves as a defense mechanism against possible predators.

The Glass Octopus has an overall length between 15.75”-17.7” (40-45 cm), mantle length of 3.5”-4.7” (9-12 cm), and weight of .06-.07 lb (.025-.03 kg).

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Glass Octopus
Glass Octopus (Vitreledonella richardi)
Height:
Width:
Length:
15.75”-17.7” | 40-45 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.06-.07 lb | .025-.03 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 3.5”-4.7” | 9-12 cm

Scientific Name
Vitreledonella richardi
Lifespan

Drawings include:

Glass Octopus side elevation, front

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Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus to other cephalopods

The Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulate) is a highly venomous cephalopod and is known as one of the most toxic marine animals in the world. This species is small, has a slightly flattened head, and has bright blue ring patterns that gave it its name. The Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus flashes its rings as a warning signal when threatened. They live a solitary life and are found in subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean and prefer shallow waters with rubble, reefs, and sandy areas. The diet of the Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus consists of small crabs, shrimps, and small fish.

The Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus has an overall length between 4.7”-5.9” (12-15 cm), mantle length of 1.2”-2” (3-5 cm), and weight of .02-.22 lb (.01-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus in various poses
The Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulate) is a highly venomous cephalopod and is known as one of the most toxic marine animals in the world. This species is small, has a slightly flattened head, and has bright blue ring patterns that gave it its name.

The Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus has an overall length between 4.7”-5.9” (12-15 cm), mantle length of 1.2”-2” (3-5 cm), and weight of .02-.22 lb (.01-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus in various poses
Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata)
Height:
Width:
Length:
4.7”-5.9” | 12-15 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.02-.22 lb | .01-.1 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 1.2”-2” | 3-5 cm

Scientific Name
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Lifespan
2-3 years

Drawings include:

Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus side elevation, front

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3D Downloads

Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus)
Scale illustration of an average Caribbean Reef Octopus compared to other cephalopod species

The Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus) has eight arms that vary in length and diameter. The Caribbean Reef Octopus is able to quickly change both colors and textures to blend into its surroundings. Caribbean Reef Octopuses are highly intelligent and once they are camouflaged, they are almost impossible to distinguish. This octopus is native to warm waters and coral reef environments in Central and South America. The Caribbean Reef Octopus likes to live in hidden and rocky lairs. The Caribbean Reef Octopus uses their arms, 7 rows of teeth, and suckers to catch their prey which are crabs, shrimps, and fish.

The Caribbean Reef Octopus has an arm length between 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm), mantle length of 2”-4.7” (5-12 cm), and weight of 2.2-3.3 lb (1-1.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Caribbean Reef Octopus is between 10-12 months.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Caribbean Reef Octopus
The Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus) has eight arms that vary in length and diameter. The Caribbean Reef Octopus is able to quickly change both colors and textures to blend into its surroundings. Caribbean Reef Octopuses are highly intelligent.

The Caribbean Reef Octopus has an arm length between 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm), mantle length of 2”-4.7” (5-12 cm), and weight of 2.2-3.3 lb (1-1.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Caribbean Reef Octopus is between 10-12 months.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Caribbean Reef Octopus
Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus)
Height:
Width:
Length:
19.7”-23.6” | 50-60 cm (Arm)
Depth:
Weight:
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 2”-4.7” | 5-12 cm

Scientific Name
Octopus briareus
Lifespan
10-12 months

Drawings include:

Caribbean Reef Octopus side elevation, front

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3D Downloads

Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Cockatoo Squid to other cephalopods

The Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura) has a transparent appearance and is characterized by its swollen body and small arms. Many Cockatoo Squids are bioluminescent and have light organs in the undersides of their eyes. Their translucent appearance serves as a defense mechanism against other predators. Cockatoo Squids have a fluid-chamber that stores an ammonia solution used for buoyancy. Cockatoo Squids are found in all the oceans of the world and tend to stay by the surface or midwater depths. They have a carnivorous diet and mainly eat fish, crabs, and other small sea creatures. The current conservation status of the Cockatoo Squid is unknown.

The Cockatoo Squid has an overall length between 9.8’-13.1’ (3-4 m) and mantle length of 7’-9.4’ (2.15-2.85 m). The typical lifespan of the Cockatoo Squid is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Cockatoo Squid in various poses
The Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura) has a transparent appearance and is characterized by its swollen body and small arms. Many Cockatoo Squids are bioluminescent and have light organs in the undersides of their eyes. Their translucent appearance serves as a defense mechanism.

The Cockatoo Squid has an overall length between 9.8’-13.1’ (3-4 m) and mantle length of 7’-9.4’ (2.15-2.85 m). The typical lifespan of the Cockatoo Squid is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Cockatoo Squid in various poses
Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura)
Height:
Width:
Length:
9.8’-13.1’ | 3-4 m
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Mantle Length: 7’-9.4’ | 2.15-2.85 m

Scientific Name
Galiteuthis phyllura
Lifespan
2-3 years

Drawings include:

Cockatoo Squid side elevation, front

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Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Bigfin Reef Squid to other cephalopods

The Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepiotheuthis lessoniana) is a small to medium squid with thick and muscular oval fins that extend almost around their entire mantle. The arms of the Bigfin Reef Squid taper to a narrow point and are not equal in length. In appearance they are similar to a cuttlefish due to their large fins. The Bigfin Reef Squid is native to the Indo-Pacific Oceans, live in coastal waters, but can also be found in waters deeper than a 100 ft (30.4 m). Bigfin Reef Squids prey on fish and crustaceans. They are not considered in danger of extinction.

The Bigfin Reef Squid has an overall length between 9.8”-15” (25-38 cm), mantle length of 5.5”-7.1” (14-18 cm), and weight of .35-3.1 lb (.16-1.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Bigfin Reef Squid is between 6 months and 1 year.

Scaled collection of drawings of Bigfin Reef Squid in various poses
The Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepiotheuthis lessoniana) is a small to medium squid with thick and muscular oval fins that extend almost around their entire mantle. The arms of the Bigfin Reef Squid taper to a narrow point and are not equal in length. In appearance they are similar to a cuttlefish.

The Bigfin Reef Squid has an overall length between 9.8”-15” (25-38 cm), mantle length of 5.5”-7.1” (14-18 cm), and weight of .35-3.1 lb (.16-1.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Bigfin Reef Squid is between 6 months and 1 year.

Scaled collection of drawings of Bigfin Reef Squid in various poses
Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)
Height:
Width:
Length:
9.8”-15” | 25-38 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.35-3.1 lb | .16-1.4 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 5.5”-7.1” | 14-18 cm

Scientific Name
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Lifespan
.5-1 year

Drawings include:

Bigfin Reef Squid side elevation, front

Downloads

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