Cephalopods are one of natures great gifts. They are truly extraordinary in both their intelligence and their anatomy. There is almost nothing else like them in nature, which is why we find them so fascinating.
What’s the difference between arms and tentacles?
Arms have suckers at covering the entire length of the appendage, while tentacles either have no suckers at all, or just at the ends.
Different kinds of Cephalopods
Loosely define, a Cephalopod is an active, predatory mollusk. Maybe this is what fascinates us. These creatures are hunters and use their superior intelligence to catch their prey.
The most well known Cephalopod is the octopus. Octopi very greatly in size and are well known for their intelligence. Octopuses have solved mazes and completed a number of puzzles in pursuit of food rewards. Something you might not know is that octopi have a “mini brain” that controls each arm.
The cuttlefish has 8 arms and 2 tentacles and is a master of camouflage. They are so good at blending into their surroundings they are often invisible to the human eye.
Are Krakens real?
Not really, but they are based on the giant squid. It is a smaller version of the Kraken depicted in fantasy films and folklore. Squids have 8 arms and 2 tentacles and can vary greatly in size.
Where do Cephalopods live?
Cephalopods live in all of the worlds oceans. While most live in shallow water, cephalopods are one of a handful of creatures that also live in the open ocean. They can inhabit the mid ocean all the way down to the deep sea. The deepest dwelling cephalopods have reportedly been found at 8,000 meters below the surface of the ocean.
