Featured Image Credit: Shedd Aquarium
By Jessica Kittel
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois now offers visitors the pleasure of viewing bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). As reported on ABC7 Chicago, twenty of these little baby squid were actually born and bred (aka cultivated and hatched) at the aquarium.
The Shedd Aquarium explains that bigfin reef squid are cephalopods, which groups them with the likes of octopus, cuttlefish, and chambered nautiluses. If you do happen to swing by Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium Esplanade to see these little guys, you might, at first glance, be tempted to think they’re actually cuttlefish. Their extensive fin runs along both sides of the mantle (the part above the tentacles and arms)and makes them look a little like they’re cuttlefish cousins.
Squids have eight arms to go along with their two tentacles (ten appendages all together). All are lined with “suction cups” which aid the squid in feeding. Unlike octopuses (or octopi or octopods, all are correct) and cuttlefishes, squids don’t have a venom gland on their beak. They’re strategy is a bit more to the point, they just rapidly pierce the spinal cord followed closely by ripping off the head. Hey, whatever works for you squid. Interestingly, the Shedd aquarium noted that this behavior (of ripping off heads) is so ingrained in the squids that none of them will even accept frozen fish that have been pre-decapitated. Squids are picky eaters apparently.
These squids also have crazy-cool eyes. As described by Shedd Aquarium, bigfins are known as green-eyed squids because of the pale, iridescent green color founds around their eyes. Their eyes function similarly to humans’ eyes and can focus on objects found close by and far away, providing clear images.
Bigfins are covered in skin cells that allow them to rapidly change color. They use these cells to aid them in camouflage and to help them look special for any potential mates (apparently we’re not the only ones that dress up to impress dates). If the camo strategy doesn’t work to deter predators, they always have a plan B. Bigfins will jet away, leaving behind a cloud of ink that temporarily blinds the predator.
Make sure to plan a trip to the Shedd Aquarium to check these awesome little cephalopods out!