Page 290 - (DK) Ocean - The Definitive Visual Guide

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CLASS CEPHALOPODA CLASS CEPHALOPODA
Dumbo Octopus Blue-ringed Octopus

Grimpoteuthis plena Hapalochlaena maculosa
LENGTH LENGTH
Up to 8 in (20 cm) 4–8 in (10–20 cm)
HABITAT HABITAT
Deep water, to 6,500 ft Shallow water, rock
(2,000 m) pools
DISTRIBUTION Northwest Atlantic DISTRIBUTION Tropical west Pacific and Indian
Ocean (all species of Hapalochlaena)
Little is known about the Dumbo
octopus, as only a few have been The most dangerous cephalopod is
little changed from their ammonoid recorded. Its common name derives the small blue-ringed octopus, which
CLASS CEPHALOPODA
ancestors. Their shell protects them from a pair of unusual, earlike flaps produces highly toxic saliva powerful
Nautilus from predation, while gas trapped in extending from the mantle above its enough to kill a human. To catch prey,
its inner chambers provides buoyancy. eyes. It has a soft body, an adaptation it either releases saliva into the water
The head protrudes from the shell and to its deep-water habitat, and eight and waits for the poison to take effect,
Nautilus pompilius
WIDTH has up to 90 suckerless tentacles, which arms connected to each other almost or catches, bites, and injects prey
Shell up to 8 in (20 cm) are used to capture prey such as shrimp to their tips by “webbing.” Its diet directly. Its bright coloring is unusual
HABITAT and other crustaceans; the head also includes worms and snails. for an octopus, and the numerous blue
Tropical open waters to features a pair of rudimentary eyes that rings covering its body become more
1,600 ft (500 m) lack a lens and work on a principle iridescent if it is
similar to a pinhole camera. The disturbed.
DISTRIBUTION Eastern Indian Ocean, western Pacific, nautilus swims using jet propulsion,
and Australia to New Caledonia drawing water into its mantle cavity and
expelling it forcefully through a tubular
The five remaining species of Nautilus siphon, which can be directed to
and Allonautilus belong to a once propel the nautilus forward, backward,
numerous group of shelled cephalopods or sideways. Unlike most other
that existed from 400 to 65 million cephalopods, nautiluses mature late, at
years ago. They are often referred to about ten years of age, and produce
as “living fossils” because they are so only about twelve eggs per year.

by trial and error, and remember the
CLASS CEPHALOPODA
solution for a long time. It has large, DEFENSE MECHANISM
Giant Octopus complex eyes with color vision and
sensitive suckers that can distinguish When threatened, a giant octopus A QUICK GETAWAY
between objects by touch alone. It This giant octopus is making a rapid retreat,
Enteroctopus dofleini squirts a cloud of purple ink out
LENGTH changes color rapidly by contracting through its siphon into the water expelling an ink jet as a defense mechanism. The
Up to 15 ft (4.5 m) or expanding pigmented areas in cells and at the same time moves jet also propels the octopus backward forcefully.
HABITAT called chromatophores, enabling it backward rapidly using
Bottom dwellers, to remain camouflaged regardless jet propulsion.
30–2,500 ft (9–750 m) of background. It also uses its color to Potential predators
convey mood, becoming red if are left confused
DISTRIBUTION Temperate northwest and northeast annoyed and pale if stressed. Most and disoriented in
Pacific cephalopods show little parental care, a cloud of ink. The
but female giant octopuses guard their octopus can repeat
The giant octopus is one of the eggs for up to eight months until they this process several
largest invertebrates as well as one hatch. They do not eat during that times in quick
of the most intelligent. It can solve time, and siphon water over the eggs succession.
problems, such as negotiating a maze to keep them clean and aerated.

OCEAN LIFE