Cuttle Fish Information for Kids

Cuttlefish belong to the same family as squids or octopus. They are described as chameleon-like, because they can change colors or camouflage to blend into their environment. They do this to hide from other sea creatures, called predators, which may want to eat them.

They are very fast swimmers. When being chased, they shoot out ink from their ink sac. It clouds the water, so the cuttlefish can keep from getting caught and eaten.

  1. Shape-Shifting

    • Cuttlefish have a special ability called, shape shifting. It allows them to change their shape to look like something else. They do this for the same reason they camouflage--not to be noticed by hungry predators.

      They can change the way their skin looks too, so it becomes spiky or flat to look like seaweed or a rock.

    Colors

    • Cuttlefish have been compared to television because of what they can do with their color organs. Whatever situation they are in, they not only change color but also display multi-colors, brightness and dimness. It's almost like having electric skin.

      Their brain tells the color organs what to do and its done. Other fish notice, but other cuttlefish cannot because they are colorblind

    Mating

    • Male cuttlefish use their vibrant colors to flash patterns to attract and impress female cuttlefish. Sometimes, they flash a zebra pattern. The male then uses his special arm to transfer a substance to a part of the female's mouth. She keeps it stored there until she is ready to fertilize her eggs. When she is ready to make baby cuttlefish, she wipes the substance onto each egg with her arms.

    Arms and Tentacles

    • Cuttlefish have two long tentacles and eight arms, all of which are lined with suckers. They use their tentacles to grab food or prey. They use their arms and color display to distract potential food, such as crabs, mollusks, shrimps and fish. This distraction makes it easy for the cuttlefish to grab dinner.

      The arms are also important to fight, if necessary.

    Danger or Not

    • Cuttlefish are smart, clever and gentle creatures. They seek only food and to reproduce. There are many species of cuttlefish that we know about, Of the ones that have been studied, none have shown that they are dangerous to humans. However, new discoveries are made all the time, so there is always the possibility that a dangerous type of cuttlefish may one day, be found. Always use caution when near any marine life.