Gardener Squid
From World of Entorais Wiki
About
- Common Names
- Gardener Squid
- Classification
- Mollusc
- These small five armed cephalopods are named after their elaborate nest building behaviour.
Description
- Size
- 2 kg (4-5 pounds), 20-30 centimetres (9-12 inches) length.
- Appearance
- Five arms with suckers above a small beak. a pair of eyes, a pair of swimming fins, and a smooth rigid shell protecting their body. Their head and topside of their arms are covered in chromatophores which allow the squid to rapidly shift colours and patterns.
- Sexual Dimorphism
- No obvious differences.
- Variance
- There are several species of related animals, but only the gardener squid engages in the decorative garden building behaviour.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Tropical to sub-tropical salt water. Coral Reefs
- Diet
- Fish, shell fish, and other small animal prey.
Behaviour
- Social Grouping
- Solitary or in pairs, although larger communities of these squid can be found each with their own plot of reef they defend from interlopers.
- Temperament
- Wary with a curious attitude.
- Intelligence
- Clever animals
- Reproduction
- The namesake behaviour of these squid is likely related to attracting sexual partners. Males will construct coral arches, and decorate them and the surrounding sea floor with meticulously placed stones and shells. They engage in elaborate mating rituals involving aquatic dance between potential partners, after coupling a female will reside with her chosen mate and lay a cluster of several dozen eggs attached to the coral arch. When the young hatch they spend about a year free roaming before picking out a spot of reef to make their own gardens as adults.
Sub-Species
- No subspecies of gardener squids are known.
Domestication
- General
- None
- Resources
- Meat, Shells.
