Marine Life & Conservation Blogs
Cuttlefish 101 with Pamela Jackson

Did you know that Cuttlefish have 3 hearts?
It’s true! This is a Cuttlefish but don’t let the name fool you – it’s not a fish. Cuttlefish are invertebrates and are considered Mollusks (which means soft body), in the Class Cephalopoda which includes Octopus, Squid, and the Chambered Nautilus. They’re fast swimmers that use jet propulsion and have an undulating body mantle for locomotion. Cuttlefish have eight tentacles (arms) lined with suckers on the underside and two elongated feeding tentacles. They have a beak that can deliver a venomous bite and…… greenish-blue blood. Super cool!
Cuttlefish are nocturnal hunters and hide and rest during the day. They are some of the smartest creatures in the sea due to their large brain-to-body size ratio. Their average life expectancy is about one to two years.
Cuttlefish have an internal structure called a cuttle-bone which is porous, made of Calcium Carbonite, and provides buoyancy. Interestingly enough, these oval shaped cuttle-bones are harvested and given to birds as a calcium supplement (which is why they smell fishy).
Cuttlefish use their ink sacs to squirt black ink to confuse and escape from predators. They have the added ability to use camouflage to evade sharks, dolphins, seals, sea birds, larger fish, and other cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are cannibalistic which means they feed on one another as well as eat fish, small mollusks, snails, clams, worms, crabs, and shrimp.
Known for their colorful flashing displays, Cuttlefish have special cells called chromatophores, pronounced (crow-Matt-uh-4’s), that can change color at the drop of a hat. Located within the skin, chromatophores allow the Cuttlefish to change skin color tone and texture to blend into their surroundings perfectly. Scientists have no idea how they do this because these animals are colorblind!
Find out more about marine life with Pamela at www.gotoceans.com.
Blogs
BLUE EARTH – Future Frogmen Podcast Series – The Next Generation of Ocean Stewards: Lauren Brideau

A series of conservation educational podcasts from Future Frogmen, introduced by Jeff Goodman.
The Next Generation of Ocean Stewards: Lauren Brideau
We have a new host, Dr. Colleen Bielitz, and today we’ll be interviewing a recent college graduate as part of our once-a-month episode that focuses on students: the next generation of conservationists, researchers, and activists.
What are the next generation of ocean stewards doing to protect our Blue Earth? Join us as we find out by speaking to Lauren Brideau, a recent graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. Lauren started as an undeclared major but soon found her calling, now she is part of a research team conserving life below water. She is a prime example that if you want to defend our oceans and the creatures that depend on the sea to survive, now is the time to become part of the solution.
Richard E Hyman Bio
Richard is the Chairman and President of Future Frogmen.
Born from mentoring and love of the ocean, Richard is developing an impactful non-profit organization. His memoir, FROGMEN, details expeditions aboard Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s famed ship Calypso.
Future Frogmen, Inc. is a nonprofit organization and public charity that works to improve ocean health by deepening the connection between people and nature. They foster ocean ambassadors and future leaders to protect the ocean by accomplishing five objectives.
You can find more episodes and information at www.futurefrogmen.org and on most social platforms @futurefrogmen.
Marine Life & Conservation
Jeff chats to… Veronica Cowley, a contestant in the See You at the Sea Festival Film Competition (Watch Video)

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-large, chats to Veronica Cowley, a contestant in the See You at the Sea Festival Film Competition. The See you at the Sea Festival was an online film festival created by young people, for young people.
Veronica’s film – Worse things Happen at Sea – can be seen here:
Sixth and final in a series of six videos about the competition. Watch the first video HERE with Jenn Sandiford – Youth Engagement Officer with the Your Shore Beach Rangers Project and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust – to find out more about the Competition. Each day this week will be sharing one video in which Jeff talks with the young contestants about their films and what inspired them.
For more information please visit:
- Project website: www.beachrangers.com
- Cornwall Wildlife Trust: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.com
- Cornwall College: www.cornwall.ac.uk
- Our Bright Future: www.ourbrightfuture.co.uk
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