In South Australia’s Northern Spencer Gulf, there is a section of rocky reef that provides an important breeding ground for Australia’s Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama). It is within and underneath these rocks where the cuttlefish lay their eggs.
The gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) is a medium-sized octopus known for its distinctive ‘sad-looking’ white eyes and rust-coloured arms. But don’t let its sombre appearance fool you - this species exhibits complex behaviours, novel social interactions and unusual throwing abilities. Found along the Great Southern Reef and the eastern coast of New Zealand, gloomy octopuses live on intertidal rocky shores, seagrass beds and rocky reefs.
Image: Mike Jones
Known for their highly toxic, and deadly venom, the tiny blue ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) is actually a docile creature that will not use their toxins unless provoked.
Known to the locals as just “squid,” the southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis) is a species of reef squid that can be easily identified by their long tubular, cone shaped mantle, tentacles and large eyes. Their colour patterns can vary from orange-brown to almost transparent, and they are native to the oceans off the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand, commonly found all along the Great Southern Reef.
The southern dumpling squid (Euprymna tasmanica) is a type of bobtail squid, which comprises a group of cephalopods that are closely related to cuttlefish.
