Phylum MolluscaPhylum MolluscaClass CephalopodaClass Cephalopoda

Does the Giant Squid get giant Does the Giant Squid get giant headaches?headaches?

Cephalopod CharacteristicsCephalopod Characteristics

All mollusks have a muscular foot-All mollusks have a muscular foot-cephalopods have adapted their foot to cephalopods have adapted their foot to form flexible tentacles with suckersform flexible tentacles with suckers

Largest eyes and most complex nervous Largest eyes and most complex nervous system (brain) of any invertebratesystem (brain) of any invertebrate

Swim using jet propulsion-organ called a Swim using jet propulsion-organ called a siphon used to squeeze water outsiphon used to squeeze water out

Cephalopod Defense StrategiesCephalopod Defense Strategies

Can sense colors around them and Can sense colors around them and change to blend inchange to blend in

Can produce black inky substance that Can produce black inky substance that helps them escape predatorshelps them escape predators

Cephalopod Body SystemsCephalopod Body Systems Have sensitive eyes-they can see Have sensitive eyes-they can see

brightness, size and shapes! They have brightness, size and shapes! They have about the same eyesight as sharks.about the same eyesight as sharks.

Use their tentacles to detect smells and Use their tentacles to detect smells and chemicalschemicals

Closed circulatory system (like ours-Closed circulatory system (like ours-network of blood vessels carries blood)network of blood vessels carries blood)

Gills to take in oxygen from waterGills to take in oxygen from water Beak to “chew” food into smaller piecesBeak to “chew” food into smaller pieces

Giant SquidGiant Squid Maximum size-Females-13 Maximum size-Females-13

meters (43 feet) long, meters (43 feet) long, Males-10 meters (33 feet) Males-10 meters (33 feet) long! long!

Live at depths of 300-1000 Live at depths of 300-1000 meters! meters!

Feed on deep sea fish and Feed on deep sea fish and other squidsother squids

Found in all oceansFound in all oceans Largest eyes in the world-Largest eyes in the world-

over 30 cm (1 foot)!! over 30 cm (1 foot)!!

Cephalopod VideoCephalopod Video

Click here for a video clip of Jet Propulsion

A cuttlefish changing color

Cool CephalopodsCool Cephalopods