Hobbies And Interests
Chemical Composition
A squids's ink is made up primarily of mucus and melanin. Melanin is the same pigment that gives skin a darker color in humans and animals, and color to freckles and hair. Depending on the species, the squid's ink may also contain a variety of amino acids such as taurin and lysin, as well as tyrosinase and dopamine. The variety of chemicals causes different species to have different colors; octopus ink tends to be black, squids' are more of a blueish black and the ink from cuttlefish is more brown.
Releasing Method
The ink is held in sacs situated between the gills of the cephalopod. When threatened, the squid can release the sacs and disperse the ink with a jet of water from the funnel of its body. The cloud spreads out behind the squid creating a large dark patch in the water. Some cephalopds have developed ink with a higher mucus concentration that maintains its shape longer in the water. This type of ink release serves as a decoy which also buys the squid time to escape.
Other Responses to Ink
Inking by some species serves as an alert to other species in the area. When observed in captivity, scientists noted erratic behaviors of nearby squid when ink was released. Although many speculations abound, the widely varied chemical composition requires further investigation to confirm the theories.
Other Uses for Ink
Squid ink is widely utilized in the culinary arena. The ink is used to color pasta and rice and give the dish a unique flavor. Ink that is harvested for the kitchen typically comes from dead cephalopods so it contains no mucus. It is also possible to use the ink as ink for writing, although the need for this has not been present since ancient times. Some artists have experimented using the ink for painting, and a small population has tried using the ink in tattoos.