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🦑Squid vs Cuttlefish🦑

Squid and cuttlefish are close relatives, but the cuttlefish carries a broad internal bone and hovers, while the squid is built for fast cruising.

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🦑Squid
  • Streamlined for fast open-water swimming
  • Long, slender body with a stiff thin pen
  • Forms shoals and covers great distances
  • Strong jet propulsion for quick escapes
🦑Cuttlefish
  • Hovers and maneuvers with fine control
  • Broad internal cuttlebone aids buoyancy
  • Spectacular hypnotic skin color displays
  • W-shaped pupils and superb close-range vision

Verdict

Squid are the long-distance speedsters, cuttlefish the hovering camouflage artists. The cuttlebone and body shape are the quickest ways to tell them apart.

Frequently asked

Are squid and cuttlefish the same?+

No, but they are close cephalopod relatives with different body shapes and lifestyles.

What is a cuttlebone?+

It is the cuttlefish's broad internal shell, used to control buoyancy.

Which is the better camouflage artist?+

Cuttlefish are renowned for spectacular, rapid skin color and pattern changes.

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