Cephalopod Week (which takes place annually around the last 2 weeks of June) champions octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes and all their kin! This year, the week runs between June 18-25, 2021. Among the cephalopod species, the octopuses are most well-known for its intelligence! If you missed out on learning about these cool animals, check out this article written by Megan Ng for the last International Octopus Day on October 8th. Our budding marine enthusiast is back with another lovely piece on the octopuses’ lesser-known relatives – the squids. Let’s dive in!
About the author: Megan is currently a final year Life Sciences major with a minor in Aquatic Ecology and Forensic Science at the National University of Singapore. Her passion for the ocean started when she was a young girl, as she was always very curious about nature especially marine life. Megan is a strong believer about conservation and tries to find ways to help our planet. She is writing for Celebrating Singapore Shores to spread the word about our marine life and conservation to the public through popular science writing!
See the Sharp, Spunky and Stunning Squids of Singapore!
Source and information credited to Ms Meg Sodano.
Cephalopods are molluscs?
The Octopus, Nautilus, Cuttlefish and Squid are all members of the Class Cephalopods. But, did you know that they are all also classified in the Phylum Mollusca?
Though the common molluscs members may seem vastly different, they share similar characteristics with cephalopods too! For example, like molluscs, squids have a mantle cavity and a radula – which is an organ that acts as a tongue. This special organ is covered in sharp teeth to help cut food into smaller pieces and to help with swallowing. In squids, the radula is present in the beak, which plays a huge role in ensuring that food is cut into small pieces before being swallowed into their narrow oesophagus which goes through their doughnut-shaped brain!
