Cuttlefish have an internal shell called a cuttlebone. They appear jelly like and have a ‘skirt’ that helps them to manoeuvre. They are very well camouflaged changing their colour to blend in with their surroundings.
Cuttlefish move into Southampton Water to spawn at certain times of the year.
The adult cuttlefish then die and their cuttlebone is often washed up along the beaches of the National Park.
The Cuttlefish has jaws like the beak of a parrot that make it easy to break into shells. They also have a pair of long tentacles for seizing prey. The cuttlefish usually moves by using its fins. However it has a clever way of moving quickly. It pumps water into its body cavity and then expels it through a short funnel – a form of jet propulsion!
Carnivore - Likes to eat crustaceans, especially crabs and marine shells.
Rising sea levels represent a big threat to coastal habitats and species. Within the National Park saline lagoons and salt marshes are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and could be lost completely. Litter is also a big problem on the coast.
Why not take part in ‘Beachwatch’ litter pick events - these are held every autumn by the Marine Conservation Society. Or help make a difference to global warming: reduce, re-use and recycle!