Cephalopods are a class of marine mollusks that include squids, cuttlefishes and octopuses. They share many common characteristics: they can move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under their heads; they have arms (which usually have suckers) around the fronts of their heads; they have highly developed eyes; and they CEPHALOPODS squirt ink to hide and/or defend themselves. FAST FACTS: FAST FACTS: FAST FACTS: GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS RED OCTOPUS CUTTLEFISH The giant Pacific octopus is the largest species of octopus in the world, and Red octopuses tend to live alone, can be found right here in the waters of Puget Sound. spending time with others of their species only at the ends of their lives, Giant Pacific octopuses can change color at will, expressing mood, comfort when they mate before dying. level and intentions to nearby animals. They’re also able to change texture, using knobs of muscle to mimic their surroundings. Ranging in color from solid yellow, brown or red to a variety of mottled Red octopuses colors with white spots, the red are generalist octopus doesn’t seem very aptly predators, named—until you see its reddish or which means red-brown ink! they basically eat whatever they can catch near Cuttlefishes are sometimes called “the chameleons of where they live. the sea” because of their ability to change color The plural of —even their pattern and texture—in the blink of an eye. octopus isn’t Red octopuses can and will octopi—it’s bite—if you’re lucky The cuttlefish gets its name octopuses. enough to see one in the from its cuttlebone—an wild, don’t touch it! Their internal, porous structure venom can cause very that helps to regulate buoyancy. painful local effects. Cuttlefishes are unique in that no other cephalopods have cuttlebones. The most common There are approximately Giant Pacific octopuses cuttlefish predators are 120 known species of The arm span of can consume 2–4% It can be difficult to tell the large fish, sharks and cuttlefish in the world, a giant Pacific and gain 1–2% of difference between a young even other cuttlefish— including the dwarf octopus can be their body weight red octopus and a young sometimes of the same cuttlefish on exhibit at the up to an incredible each day. That’s the giant Pacific octopus. Check the species! Seattle Aquarium. 20 feet across equivalent of a eyes: red octopuses have three —about the height 150-pound person eating up to tiny flaps, or “eyelashes,” below of a two-story six pounds of food and gaining up each eye; giant Pacific octopuses building! to three pounds every single day! do not. Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.