Information
Cephalopods has a minion!
Teuthology the Sir Cephalopod
Teuthology the Sir Cephalopod
Cephalopods
Legacy Name: Cephalopods
The Custom Common Experiment #3485
Owner: squidknees
Age: 7 years, 9 months, 2 weeks
Born: July 3rd, 2016
Adopted: 7 years, 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Adopted: July 3rd, 2016
Statistics
- Level: 426
- Strength: 1,067
- Defense: 1,054
- Speed: 1,025
- Health: 1,054
- HP: 1,041/1,054
- Intelligence: 1,284
- Books Read: 1249
- Food Eaten: 5909
- Job: Special Operative
Heya, friends! I'm Professor Octo, and today we're going to learn about cephalopods!
What are cephalopods, you ask? Well, they are a class of tentacled marine animals, including nautiluses, octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. They belong to the phylum of mollusks, meaning they don't have any bones and are related to snails and clams.
What are cephalopods, you ask? Well, they are a class of tentacled marine animals, including nautiluses, octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. They belong to the phylum of mollusks, meaning they don't have any bones and are related to snails and clams.
The word cephalopod comes from the Greek kephalópodes, meaning "head-feet". Accordingly, a cephalopod's limbs are right next to its head! In fact, its head is directly between its tentacles and its mantle (which is where its internal organs are stored).
Cephalopods first evolved hundreds of millions of years ago, during the late Cambrian era. Early cephalopods had chambered shells, which they could fill with air to adjust their buoyancy. Some species grew to gigantic sizes, their fossils even longer than humans are tall!
As they evolved, cephalopods traded defense for speed, becoming smaller and more maneuverable. The nautilus is the only cephalopod that still has a shell today.
As they evolved, cephalopods traded defense for speed, becoming smaller and more maneuverable. The nautilus is the only cephalopod that still has a shell today.
Coleoid cephalopods do not have external shells. They are divided into two categories, based on their number of limbs.
Decapods have ten tentacles in all: two long ones to catch prey, and eight shorter ones to keep hold of prey as it is consumed. Squid and cuttlefish fall into this category. Most decapods retain a small internal shell, called a gladius or cuttlebone, which is still used for support and buoyancy.
Octopods like your humble Professor only have eight tentacles, and no vestigial shell whatsoever. That means they can squeeze through any hole bigger than their beak! In addition to octopuses, vampire squid are also in this category.
Decapods have ten tentacles in all: two long ones to catch prey, and eight shorter ones to keep hold of prey as it is consumed. Squid and cuttlefish fall into this category. Most decapods retain a small internal shell, called a gladius or cuttlebone, which is still used for support and buoyancy.
Octopods like your humble Professor only have eight tentacles, and no vestigial shell whatsoever. That means they can squeeze through any hole bigger than their beak! In addition to octopuses, vampire squid are also in this category.
All cephalopods are carnivores. They grab hold of prey with their tentacles and then use a beak in the center of the ring of tentacles to take bites from it. They are especially good at hunting clams: they can drill a hole in the shell with their beak and then inject venomous saliva that paralyzes it, forcing the clam to open. Most cephalopods have a radula, which is a structure like a spiky tongue that scrapes food into smaller pieces for digestion.
Fun fact: despite its fearsome name, the vampire squid is the only known cephalopod that doesn't actively hunt for prey! It feeds on marine snow, which consists of organic detritus that slowly falls toward the ocean floor.
Fun fact: despite its fearsome name, the vampire squid is the only known cephalopod that doesn't actively hunt for prey! It feeds on marine snow, which consists of organic detritus that slowly falls toward the ocean floor.
Cephalopods are jet-powered! They can swim using their tentacles and fins, but when it's time to go fast, they can expel a jet of water from a siphon at the base of their mantle. They can also expel a cloud of ink as a decoy along with the water; many predators will attack the cloud while the real cephalopod escapes.
Coleoid cephalopods have the ability to change colour using chromatophores in their skin. In most animals that change colour, chromatophores are merely bags of pigment that can be relaxed or contracted, but cephalopod chromatophores are complex bundles of nerves, muscles, and multiple colours of pigments that can be manipulated to achieve a variety of different effects. These are used both to communicate with each other and to hide from predators.
Cephalopod skin also contains bumpy structures called papillae, which can be deformed to change its texture. With the ability to match both the texture and colour of the terrain around them, cephalopods are masters of disguise who can fool predators with the best eyesight.
One curious thing about cephalopod mimicry is that... as far as scientists can tell, most cephalopods seem to be colourblind! So how do they figure out what colours to mimic at all? Research suggests they may be able to see polarized light or chromatic aberration, or that their skin itself contains colour receptors. Until we learn more, it's still a mystery.
Cephalopod skin also contains bumpy structures called papillae, which can be deformed to change its texture. With the ability to match both the texture and colour of the terrain around them, cephalopods are masters of disguise who can fool predators with the best eyesight.
One curious thing about cephalopod mimicry is that... as far as scientists can tell, most cephalopods seem to be colourblind! So how do they figure out what colours to mimic at all? Research suggests they may be able to see polarized light or chromatic aberration, or that their skin itself contains colour receptors. Until we learn more, it's still a mystery.
Although their nervous systems are completely different from human ones, coleoid cephalopods are thought to be the most intelligent invertebrate animals. They have a large donut-shaped brain, as well as decentralized neurons spread throughout their tentacles. Individual cephalopod tentacles are capable of acting on their own to a small extent, and will continue trying to pass food up to the mouth even after being severed!
Cephalopods display clear play, cooperative hunting, tool use, and problem solving behaviour. In fact, octopuses are notoriously difficult to study because they are little escape artists with strong personalities! Bored aquarium octopuses are known to cause short circuits by shooting jets of water at electronics, break into other tanks to eat the occupants, and even throw rocks to smash glass.
Because cephalopods evolved intelligence in a completely different way from intelligent vertebrates like humans or corvids, the study of cephalopod intelligence has been crucial in gaining a broader understanding of animal cognition in general.
Cephalopods display clear play, cooperative hunting, tool use, and problem solving behaviour. In fact, octopuses are notoriously difficult to study because they are little escape artists with strong personalities! Bored aquarium octopuses are known to cause short circuits by shooting jets of water at electronics, break into other tanks to eat the occupants, and even throw rocks to smash glass.
Because cephalopods evolved intelligence in a completely different way from intelligent vertebrates like humans or corvids, the study of cephalopod intelligence has been crucial in gaining a broader understanding of animal cognition in general.
That's all for today! Cephalopods are a fascinating class of animals, and there are tons of topics we haven't even touched on in this brief overview. But I hope you were able to learn a little bit about these squishy aliens you share your planet with!
Code, text, overlay, & art by squidknees
Pet Treasure
Severed Spectrum Tentacle
Squiddiebom
Rave Scribble Experiment 3485 Sticker
Experimental Tentacle Salve
Experiment 3485 Plushie
Experiment 3485 Beanbag
Warm Experiment 3485 Beanbag
Squidballoon Sticker
Kid the Squid Beanbag
Oversized Soft Vinyl Experiment 3485 Toy
Lovely Experiment 3485 Sticker
Cozy Squidley and Liz Plushie
Squidley Hugs Sticker
Liz and Squidley Plushie
Shy Octo Figurine
Cosmic Octopus
Subdued Octosnack
Cephalos
Kracklen
Ink Monster Wet Specimen
Colossal Squid Plushie
Vampire Squid Love Sticker
Red Tentacle Ribbons
Grilled Octopus Mini Quiche
Tentacle Keychain
Red Piroctapus Beanbag
Octopus Wants to Fight Plushie
Guarded Flask
Vampire Squid Squishy
Binky
Octoteeth
Carved Stone Octopus
Squibly
Tentasalad
Squibly Beanbag
Companion Squibly
Squibly Ink Cannon
Squibly Scarf
Squibly Hat
Ink-Filled Squid Beanbag
Copper Octopus Head Charm
Grilled Octopus
Intesquid
Rust Octopus Mask
Octopus Cuddle Buddy
Deep Sea Wrinkled Tentacle
Deep Sea Curled Tentacle
Carved Coral Octopus Sculpture
Squid on a Stick
Smolflaik Sushi
Kraken Dress Up Steampunk Charlie Plushie
Giant Squid
Ruddy Long Severed Tentacle
Ruddy Short Severed Tentacle
Sir Cephalopod
Cuttlefish Sword
Red Octuupoo Plushie
Octopus Rolls
Octochips
Red Octopus Sticker
Kissypus
Pearly Long Severed Tentacle
Pearly Short Severed Tentacle
Tarnished Bronze Mechanical Octopus
Squid Beak Clamp
Octentacle
Bronze Octopus Head Charm
Dark Octopus Mask
Raggedy Ahmastashoo Octopus Plushie
Ammonite Slice
Cuttlefish Egg
Brown Cuttlefish
Carved Seabed Octopus Sculpture
Fossil
Bashful Octo Figurine
Chocolate Cuddlefish Plushie
Slick Cephalopod Tentacle
Empty Ammonite Shell
Opalpus Plushie
Questionable Canned Fillets
Eighth Anniversary Octopus Cupcake
Brown Tentacle Ribbons
Tarnished Copper Mechanical Octopus
Steamwork Cephalopod
Orange Crunchy Octopus Cookie
Tentacle Toga
Severed Hydrus Tentacle
Orange Piroctapus Beanbag
Krakling
Neon Orange Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Orange Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Orange Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Orange Tentacle Ribbons
Takoyaki
Octopumpkis
Dumbo Octopus Squishy
Clive
Octopus Carved Pumpkin
Fluffy Tentacles
Orange Octoplus
Stuffed Cuttlefish Bite
Ridiculous Octopus Sticker
Bite Sized Stuffed Squid
Carved Ringed Octopus Sculpture
Exquisite Sea Witch Plushie
Blue Ringed Octopus Beanbag
Sweet Octopus Mask
Bright Octosquish Beanbag
Orange Octopus Sticker
Orange Tentacular Dress
Candy Kraken
Friendly Kraken Sticker
Loving Orange Octo
Yellow Yarn Octopus Plushie
Happy Yet Angry Octopus
Octophug
Nautilus Shell with Pearls
Nautilus
Slick Cephalopod Beak
Pale Octentacle
Blushing Octo Figurine
Skeletal Octopus
Skeletal Squid
Tan Octuupoo Plushie
Yellow Eighth Anniversary Picnic Octo Plushie
Strawberries and Cream Cuddlefish Plushie
Socktopus Plushie
Ivory Tentacle Ribbons
Sandy Tentacle Ravished Boots
Sandy Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Yellow Piroctapus Beanbag
Gold Octopus Head Charm
Cuttle Fruit
Standard of the Kraken
Lemon Crunchy Octopus Cookie
Lemon Octosquish Beanbag
Yellow Octopus Sticker
Neon Yellow Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Yellow Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Yellow Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Yellow Tentacle Ribbons
Yellow Octuupoo Plushie
Lemon Octopop
Sour Socktopus Beanbag
Octopus Salad
Diary of a Kraken
Octopus Kelp Roll
Murky Long Severed Tentacle
Murky Short Severed Tentacle
Mimic Kraken
Octogift
Strange Watery Flute
Lone Survivors Frenzied Scribblings
Pirate Spaghetti
Octopus Surfboard
Loving Cthulhu
Octopus Nouveau Beanbag
Friendly Lake Monster Beanbag
Friendly Lake Monster Doll
The Monster in the Lake
Green Tentacular Dress
Green Octopus Sticker
Luminaire Cuddly Cuttlefish Plushie
Loving Goopy Octo
Severed Green Tentacle
Green Octoplus
Green Tentacle Ravished Boots
Green Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Miskatonic Expedition Field Notes
Green Piroctapus Beanbag
Punk Squid Plushie
Neon Green Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Green Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Green Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Green Tentacle Ribbons
Green Octuupoo Plushie
Green Eighth Anniversary Picnic Octo Plushie
Bright Octopus Mask
Kuttleken
Minty Miscreant
Dripping Elder Tome
Stolen Jade Nautilus Goblet
Kraken Terrarium
Terrifying Krakens
Briny Deep
Dead Squid T-shirt
Severed Evil Tentacle
Undersea Octosquish Beanbag
Paint with Water: Sea Life
Demure Octo Figurine
Cephaluvpod
Squiddle
Wibblenibble
Kraken Attacks
Thieving Kraken Sticker
Sea Witch Talisman
Stormy Long Severed Tentacle
Stormy Short Severed Tentacle
Homemade Kraken Plushie
Green Yarn Octopus Plushie
Blue Yarn Octopus Plushie
Mint Socktopus Beanbag
Tentacle Fruit
Tentacle Fruit Gummies
Aquami
Loving Squishy Octo
Dinky
Severed Blue Tentacle
Blue Tentacle Ravished Boots
Blue Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Carved Onyx Octopus Sculpture
Blue Tentacle Ribbons
Brip
Blacklight Octopus Ale
Blue Tentacular Dress
Blue Piroctapus Beanbag
Blue Octuupoo Plushie
Cotton Candy Cuddlefish Plushie
Blueberry Crunchy Octopus Cookie
Long Lasting Cuddly Cuttlefish Plushie
Blueberry Octopop
Marshmallow Cuddlefish Plushie
Octopus Swimsuit
Guarded Book
Blue Octoplus
Neon Blue Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Blue Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Blue Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Blue Tentacle Ribbons
Squiddy
Loving Blue Octo
Blue Octopus Sticker
Tentacle Chalice
Blue Pentypod
Sugar Octosquish Beanbag
Grape Octopop
Rift Octo
Neon Purple Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Purple Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Purple Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Purple Tentacle Ribbons
Purple Tentacular Dress
Violaceous Octopus Mask
The Squib
Kraken and Lighthouse Plushie
Squib
Purple Piroctapus Beanbag
Shadow Socktopus Beanbag
Inky Long Severed Tentacle
Inky Short Severed Tentacle
Purple Octuupoo Plushie
Squid Leg Salad
Loving Squibbly Octo
Grape Crunchy Octopus Cookie
Purple Octopus Sticker
Lavender Squid Plushie
Purple Yarn Octopus Plushie
Nautilyte
Pink Octoplus
Severed Pink Tentacle
Pink Octuupoo Plushie
Squid Monster
Raspberry Crunchy Octopus Cookie
Neon Pink Small Octopus Head Charm
Neon Pink Tentacle Ravished Boots
Neon Pink Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Neon Pink Tentacle Ribbons
Rinky
Kraken Pop
Octice
Festive Mushy Plushie
Watermelon Octopop
Loving Jelly Octo
Soft Socktopus Beanbag
Octopuss
Alexandrite Octopus
Cute Octo Figurine
Vintage Squibly Plushie
Luvva LuvLuv Octo
Pink Tentacle Ravished Boots
Pink Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Pink Yarn Octopus Plushie
Red Eighth Anniversary Picnic Octo Plushie
Loving Dead Octo
White Octuupoo Plushie
Peppermint Cuddlefish Plushie
Rainbow Octopus Kneehighs
Bright Socktopus Beanbag
White Octopus Sticker
Blue Eighth Anniversary Picnic Octo Plushie
Purple Eighth Anniversary Picnic Octo Plushie
Gray Piroctapus Beanbag
Stone Tentacle Idol
Silver Octopus Head Charm
Silver Tentacle Ravished Boots
Silver Tentacle Ankle Wraps
Tarnished Silver Mechanical Octopus
Black Octopus Sticker
Squid Ink
Octello
Black Octuupoo Plushie
Storm Octosquish Beanbag
Charcoal Tentacle Ribbons
Squiddly Ink Blotch
Black Octoplus
Black Tentacular Dress
Tentacle Monster Hex Plushie
Tentacle Monster Hex Beanbag
Dark Octentacle
Loving Inky Octo
Heritage Cuddly Cuttlefish Plushie