Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2013 | Page 56

COUNTRY LIFE

THE CURIOUS WORLD

of Cephlopods

56

Richard Grogan
Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trust undertakes a huge amount of important
research to inform its role in protecting local wildlife. Richard
Grogan, the Trust’s Head of Conservation on the Island, gives a
flavour of some recent research projects.

The term cephalopod is Greek and
translates literally as ‘head – foot’,
which is easy to understand when you
consider it relates to an animal group
that includes cuttlefish, octopuses and
squid. In these creatures, its ‘foot’ has
been split into a number of tentacles
that appear attached directly to the
head. Cephalopods are one of the most
fascinating groups of marine creatures
and throughout history they have both
inspired and terrified, becoming the
stuff of legends.
There are around 800 living
cephalopod species; all are molluscs
and distantly related to the snails in
our gardens. You can find clues to
their origins around the coasts of the
Isle of Wight in the form of ammonite
fossils. Ammonites maintained a
protective coiled shell, like a modern
day snail, and are an early relative of
the cephalopods.
In local waters, we find the most
highly evolved cephalopods: cuttlefish,
squid and octopuses. Cuttlefish and
squid have internalised their shells
to form a lightweight supporting
skeleton, whereas octopuses have done
away with their shells entirely. Losing
or having a reduced shell brings a

talents are multiple brains – one in
number of advantages. It has meant
their head and slightly smaller ones
that these cephalopods have become
in their tentacles. Three hearts are
some of the most widespread, highly
required to ensure enough oxygen is
adapted and skilled hunters in the
pumped around their body to enable
oceans.
activity and brain power.
Squid, cuttlefish and octopuses all
The most frequently seen species in
have the ability to travel using jet
the south of England is the common
propulsion; they force water through
cuttlefish, which grows to around
a siphon for rapid movement to either
hunt or escape predators. Their escape
45cm not including its 10 tentacles.
is sometimes aided by squirting a
In spring, these animals come close
cloud of ink. These animals also have
incredibly advanced sensory systems.
Their eyes are similar to our own, and
some species are able to taste with
their tentacles.
Communicating and
camouflaging themselves
using colour, these
cephalopods can change
colour in milliseconds.
They can flash waves
of patterns along their
bodies to attract mates
or ward off competitors.
Cephalopods are considered
the most intelligent of all
invertebrates; octopuses can
solve problems, escape mazes,
Little Cuttle
use tools and even open screw top
jars. Controlling all their amazing

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