Cuttlefish is a mollusk belonging to the class of cephalopods. In the concept of people, it is associated with something unprepossessing and formless. In fact, cuttlefish are very beautiful.
Appearance of animals
Cuttlefish has an oval, slightly flattened body. The mantle (skin-muscle bag) forms its main part. The inner shell plays the role of a skeleton, and this distinguishing feature is peculiar only to cuttlefish. It consists of a plate with internal cavities that provide cuttlefish buoyancy. The shell is inside the body and protects the internal organs.
The mollusk's head and body are fused. Cuttlefish eyes are very large and can zoom in, while the pupil controls the light intensity. On the head of the cuttlefish, there is something similar to a beak; with it, the mollusk extracts and crushes food. And also, like numerous cephalopods, cuttlefish have an ink bag. This is a special organ, which is a dense capsule, divided into two parts. In one part there are already finished inks, and in the other there are special cells saturated with special grains with paint. Upon maturation, the cells are destroyed and ink forms. An ink bag produces a huge amount of ink. An empty bag is restored on average in half an hour.
The most famous species:
- common cuttlefish;
- Pharaoh
- crucifying (the most beautiful and poisonous);
- wide-armed (largest);
- striped (very poisonous).
The mollusk has eight tentacles and two front probes. On each of them are small suction cups. The front tentacles are hidden in pockets under the eyes and are used in attacks on the victim. Elongated fins are located on the sides of the body and help cuttlefish when moving.
Description of cuttlefish, coloring
A characteristic feature of these mollusks is the ability to change the color of their torso. The color of cuttlefish is unusually diverse. This is possible thanks to skin chromatophore cells. Body color change occurs consciously, chromatophores are subordinate to the brain. This process occurs instantly, and it seems that everything happens automatically. Cuttlefish cells are filled with special pigments of different colors.
According to the variety of colors, the complexity of the pattern and the speed of color change, the mollusk is not equal. Certain types of cuttlefish can luminesce. Color changes apply when masking. Patterns of different shapes carry certain information for relatives. Cuttlefish is one of the most intelligent species of invertebrates.
Clam Sizes
Cuttlefish are relatively small compared to other cephalopods. Wide-armed sepia is the largest among cuttlefish. Together with the tentacles, the body length is 1.5 m, and the weight is about 10 kg. However, most individuals are smaller, their length is not more than 20-30 cm. And there are also several species of very small size - up to 2 cm, which are considered the smallest cephalopods in the world.
Area
Where does cuttlefish live? And she lives only in shallow water, in tropical and subtropical seas that wash the shores of Africa and Eurasia. Nevertheless, striped cuttlefish was found off the coast of Australia. Mollusks prefer to live alone, occasionally in small groups, and only during the breeding season large accumulations of cuttlefish are formed. During the mating season, they can carry out movements, but, as a rule, lead a settled life.
Clams swim shallow, adhere to the coastline. Seeing the prey, the cuttlefish freeze for a second, and then overtake the victim with a quick jump. When a danger arises, the mollusks lie at the bottom and try to fill their fins with sand. Cuttlefish is a very cautious and shy mollusk.
Cuttlefish Nutrition
From time to time, large individuals are able to eat smaller cousins. This is not due to the aggressive nature, but to a greater extent due to food illegibility.
Shellfish eat almost everything that moves and does not exceed their own size. They feed on fish, crab, shrimp, and shellfish. Cuttlefish blows a stream of water into the sand from the siphon, thereby raising it, and the mollusk swallows small living creatures at that time, and cuts a larger one with its beak. Cuttlefish is not difficult to bite through the crab shell or the skull of a small fish.
Breeding
Cuttlefish is an animal that breeds only once. Shellfish migrate to comfortable places for laying eggs, forming flocks of several thousand individuals along the way. Communication occurs by changing the color of the body. With mutual sympathy, both mollusks glow with bright colors. Cuttlefish eggs are mostly black and resemble grapes. After laying eggs, adult cuttlefish die. Cephalopods are born already formed. From birth, small cuttlefish are able to use ink. Cuttlefish live on average 1-2 years.
The nutritional value of shellfish
Cuttlefish is a source of excellent meat, which contains valuable unsaturated acids - eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic, which protect against many diseases of the cardiovascular system. And also these elements reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood, prevent blood clots and clogged arteries.
Vitamin B2, B12, A, nicotinic and folic acids are present in cuttlefish meat. In addition, shellfish meat is rich in minerals. In addition to nutrients, meat contains impurities such as cadmium and mercury. Nutritionists recommend eating no more than two servings per week.
Useful Ink Features
- Improve mood and fight emotional problems.
- Help in the treatment of reproductive diseases.
- Eliminate the symptoms of digestive disorders.
- Help with the treatment of skin diseases.
In ancient times, ink was used for writing. Cuttlefish ink is part of the medication. This substance has a calming effect.
Ink is used in the manufacture of food colors and seasonings. They give the dishes a special black color and an excellent salty taste. Ready-to-use inks are sold in stores. And also on the basis of ink make sauces that have a bright and unique taste. Cuttlefish ink contains elements that help metabolism and have anti-inflammatory effects.
