Cuttlebone from Sepia sp.

Cuttlebone is a hard, brittle internal structure found in all members of the family Sepiidae, commonly known as cuttlefish. Cuttlebone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. It is a chambered, gas-filled shell used for buoyancy control. The microscopic structure of cuttlebone consists of narrow layers connected by numerous upright pillars. Depending on the species, cuttlebones implode at a depth of between 200 and 600 m. As such, most species of cuttlefish live on the seafloor in shallow water, usually on the continental shelf.^[1] Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is 1) a rank or 2) a taxon in that rank. ... Genera and Subgenera Metasepia Sepia    Acanthosepion    Anomalosepia    Doratosepion    Hemisepius    Rhombosepion    Sepia Sepiella Classification Order Sepiida: cuttlefish Family Sepiadariidae Family Sepiidae Genus Metasepia Pfeffers Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Metasepia pfefferi Paintpot Cuttlefish, Metasepia tullbergi Genus Sepia ? Sepia bartletti ? Sepia baxteri * ? Sepia dannevigi * ? Sepia elliptica Sepia mira Sepia plana Sepia senta ? Sepia whitleyana... Families Sepiadariidae Sepiidae Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida belonging to the Cephalopoda class (which also includes squid, octopuses and nautiluses). ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ... In physics, buoyancy is the upward force on an object produced by the surrounding fluid (i. ...  Sediment  Rock  Mantle  The global continental shelf, highlighted in cyan The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent, which is covered during interglacial periods such as the current epoch by relatively shallow seas (known as shelf seas) and gulfs. ...

Uses

In the past, cuttlebones were used in making polishing powder. The powder was added to toothpaste and used as an antacid or as an absorbent. Today, cuttlebones are commonly used as calcium-rich dietary supplements for caged birds and turtles.^[2] A Bottle of Antacid tablets An antacid is any substance, generally a base, which counteracts stomach acidity. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ...

Jewelry making

Because the cuttlebone is able to withstand high temperatures and also be easily carved it makes for an ideal mold making material for small metal casting. Jewelry and small sculptural objects can be produced quickly and economically. Prepare the cuttlebone for use as a mold by cutting it in half and rubbing the two sides together until they fit flush against one another. Then the casting can be done by carving a design into the cuttlebone, adding the necessary sprue, melting the metal in a separate pouring crucible, and pouring the molten metal into the mold through the sprue. Finally, saw off the sprue and polish the finished piece. A sprue may refer to: Sprue as used in foundry casting. ...

References

1. ^ Norman, M.D. 2000. Cephalopods: A World Guide. ConchBooks.
2. ^ Norman, M.D. & A. Reid 2000. A Guide to Squid, Cuttlefish and Octopuses of Australasia. CSIRO Publishing.