Bigfin Reef Squid

( Sepioteuthis lessoniana )

The main body mass of the squid is enclosed in the mantle, which has a swimming fin along each side. The skin of the squid is covered in chromatophores, which enable the squid to change color to suit its surroundings.

At the front of the mantle cavity lies the siphon, which the squid uses for locomotion via precise jet propulsion. This is done by sucking water into the mantle cavity and quickly expelling it out of the siphon in a fast, strong jet. The direction of the siphon can be changed in order to suit the direction of travel.

The mouth of the squid is equipped with a sharp horny beak and is used to kill and tear prey into manageable pieces.  The eyes, found on either side of the head, each contain a hard lens. The lens is focused by moving, much like the lens of a camera or telescope, rather than changing shape like a human eye