Sepia officinalis. Camouflaged resting on/in sand, with sand blown onto back and mantle surface raised into granules resembling sand. May 2011. Sublittoral. Sezimbra, Setúbal, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Resting on sand, yellow-brown mottling camouflage assumed and sand blown onto back . December 2011.Sublittoral. Sezimbra, Setúbal, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. TEMPORARY image until clearer obtained. Each arm has four rows of short-stalked suckers. Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Eight visible arms, shorter than head, including two lateral arms like sickle blades. Two extendible long tentacles hidden in pits either side of mouth, except when shot out to seize prey. April 2011. Sublittoral. Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Large, highly developed eyes usually part-covered by W-shaped eyelids. Pupils are horizontal slits, so slit aperture permits good vision. Sublittoral. Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Eyes surrounded by substantial ridges. Non-elastic cells (iridophores) reflecting white light like snow crystals as chromatophores of other colours contracted. April 2011. Sublittoral. Ferragudo, Faro, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Fins ripple to propel forwards or backwards. Ventral surface whitish. Iridophore cells reflecting white light tinted green by some chromataphores to give glow of superficial green iridescence. October 2011. Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portuga Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Exhalent respiratory funnel extends from mantle cavity ventrally. Turns in any direction to squirt strong jet of water to rapidly escape danger. May 2010. Sublittoral. Sezimbra, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Lateral fins extend full length of body; not united at posterior. Dark brown dorsally with ‘zebra’ stripes laterally; effective camouflage among long leaves and shadows of Zostera. November 2011. Sublittoral. Sezimbra, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/
Sepia officinalis. Front dorsal edge of mantle protrudes as rounded lobe (L) reaching almost to between eyes. August 2012. Sublittoral. Ferragudo, Faro, Portugal. Species Sepia officinalis Photographer / copyright holder João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/