Cephalopods | Cephalopoda

Cephalopods, or inkfish, are the most intelligent, largest, and mobile of all mollusks. Cephalopods are characterized by their body symmetry, prominent head, and set of at least eight arms or tentacles. Cephalopods earned the nickname inkfish because of their common ability to be able to squirt ink. There are two existing groups of Cephalopods: Coleoidea and Nautiloidea; Coleoidea has internalized their molluscan shell while Nautiloidea still has an external shell. Cephalopods live only in marine environments and are predatory creatures. Cephalopods are capable of changing color and they usually change color in complex patterns as part of courtship behavior.

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.

Cephalopods Guides
Browse through our curated Cephalopods Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Cephalopods. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
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
Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Scale illustration of an average Common Cuttlefish compared to other cephalopod species

The Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is the largest and most known species of all cuttlefish. They are chunky with large eyes and beak like jaws. The Common Cuttlefish varies in color, but is typically black-brown, mottled, or striped. Common Cuttlefishes can quickly change their color and texture to match their surroundings. The Common Cuttlefish is native to the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea. During the day they spend their time buried below substrate and are active at night. The Common Cuttlefish preys on crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. The Common Cuttlefish is not in danger of extinction.

The Common Cuttlefish has an overall length between 6”-10” (15-25 cm), mantle length of 2”-9.8” (5-25 cm), and weight of 4.4-8.8 lb (2-4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Cuttlefish is between 1-2 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Common Cuttlefish
The Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is the largest and most known species of all cuttlefish. They are chunky with large eyes and beak like jaws. The Common Cuttlefish varies in color, but is typically black-brown, mottled, or striped. Common Cuttlefishes can quickly change their color.

The Common Cuttlefish has an overall length between 6”-10” (15-25 cm), mantle length of 2”-9.8” (5-25 cm), and weight of 4.4-8.8 lb (2-4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Cuttlefish is between 1-2 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Common Cuttlefish
Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Height:
Width:
Length:
6”-10” | 15-25 cm
Depth:
Weight:
4.4-8.8 lb | 2-4 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 2”-9.8” | 5-25 cm

Scientific Name
Sepia officinalis
Lifespan
1-2 years

Drawings include:

Common Cuttlefish side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

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

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Common Blanket Octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus)
Scale illustration of an average Common Blanket Octopus compared to other cephalopod species

The Common Blanket Octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus) is a cephalopod that was named after the webbing between their arms. Females are much larger in size than males. Whenever the Common Blanket Octopus feels threatened, they stretch their arms to create a blanket-like silhouette to frighten any predators away. They generally can be found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, easily adapt to different water temperatures, and never rest on the ocean floor. Common Blanket Octopuses are carnivorous and prey on fish by using a ripped tentacle from toxic jellyfish as a weapon. Common Blanket Octopuses are listed as least concern to extinction.

The Common Blanket Octopus has an overall length between 6’-6.6’ (1.83-2 m), mantle length of 7.1”-9.8” (18-25 cm), and weight of roughly 2.2 lb (1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Blanket Octopus is between 3-5 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Common Blanket Octopus
The Common Blanket Octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus) is a cephalopod that was named after the webbing between their arms. Females are much larger in size than males. Whenever the Common Blanket Octopus feels threatened, they stretch their arms to create a blanket-like silhouette to frighten predators.

The Common Blanket Octopus has an overall length between 6’-6.6’ (1.83-2 m), mantle length of 7.1”-9.8” (18-25 cm), and weight of roughly 2.2 lb (1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Blanket Octopus is between 3-5 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Common Blanket Octopus
Common Blanket Octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus)
Height:
Width:
Length:
6’-6.6’ | 1.83-2 m
Depth:
Weight:
~2.2 lb | 1 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 7.1”-9.8” | 18-25 cm

Scientific Name
Tremoctopus violaceus
Lifespan
3-5 years

Drawings include:

Common Blanket Octopus side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish compared to other cephalopods

The Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) is a cephalopod with an oval mantle and broad arms. They have 2 tentacles, 8 arms, and skin changes between vibrant colors to attract prey, threaten predators, or mate. This species of cuttlefish can only float and typically swims for short periods of time. The Flamboyant Cuttlefish seems to walk on the ocean floor using their arms rather than swim and has a highly developed sensory system. They are found in Indo-Pacific Ocean including Northern Australia and the surrounding islands. The Flamboyant Cuttlefish is carnivorous and eats fish and crustaceans. Their current conservation status is unknown.

The Flamboyant Cuttlefish has an overall length between 3.9”-5.1” (10-13 cm), mantle length of 2.4”-3.1” (6-8 cm), and weight of .66-.88 lb (.3-.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish is between 1.5-2 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish
The Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) is a cephalopod with an oval mantle and broad arms. They have 2 tentacles, 8 arms, and skin changes between vibrant colors to attract prey, threaten predators, or mate. This species of cuttlefish can only float and typically swims for short periods.

The Flamboyant Cuttlefish has an overall length between 3.9”-5.1” (10-13 cm), mantle length of 2.4”-3.1” (6-8 cm), and weight of .66-.88 lb (.3-.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish is between 1.5-2 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi)
Height:
Width:
Length:
3.9”-5.1” | 10-13 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.66-.88 lb | .3-.4 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 2.4”-3.1” | 6-8 cm

Scientific Name
Metasepia pfefferi
Lifespan
1.5-2 years

Drawings include:

Flamboyant Cuttlefish side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Scale illustration of an average Humboldt Squid compared to other cephalopod species

The Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) also known as the Jumbo Squid is a cephalopod named after its large size. Humboldt Squids have also been nicknamed the ‘red devil’ due to their aggressive nature and their ability to light themselves through bioluminescence flashes of red and white. Jumbo Squids are native to the eastern Pacific Ocean and are typically found at water depths of 660 to 2,300 ft (200 to 700 m). The Humboldt Squid is an excellent swimmer. The diet of the Jumbo Squid consists of small fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and copepods. Their current population status is not

The Humboldt Squid has an overall length between 4.9’-8.2’ (1.5-2.5 m), mantle length of 29.5”-78.7” (75-200 cm), and weight of 99-110 lb (45-50 kg). The typical lifespan of the Humboldt Squid is between 1-2 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Humboldt Squid
The Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) also known as the Jumbo Squid is a cephalopod named after its large size. Humboldt Squids have also been nicknamed the ‘red devil’ due to their aggressive nature and their ability to light themselves through bioluminescence flashes of red and white.

The Humboldt Squid has an overall length between 4.9’-8.2’ (1.5-2.5 m), mantle length of 29.5”-78.7” (75-200 cm), and weight of 99-110 lb (45-50 kg). The typical lifespan of the Humboldt Squid is between 1-2 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Humboldt Squid
Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Height:
Width:
Length:
4.9’-8.2’ | 1.5-2.5 m
Depth:
Weight:
99-110 lb | 45-50 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 29.5”-78.7” | 75-200 cm

Scientific Name
Dosidicus gigas
Lifespan
1-2 years

Drawings include:

Humboldt Squid side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Related Animals Collections
Animals