Octopus and Squid (Book)

Reviewed by Nancy King
Octopus and Squid (Book)
Reviewed by Nancy King

Octopus and Squid, by James C. Hunt, is a colorful paperback that is a part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Natural History Series. Intended as an introduction to octopus and squid, this beautifully-illustrated little book also briefly covers cuttlefish and nautilus. Topics include a look at the variety of octopuses and other cephalopods. Many species are mentioned and illustrated, followed by chapters on courtship and mating and cephalopod defense mechanisms. The final intriguing chapter is entitled "Vampires and Giants of the Deep" and discusses various mid- and deep-water squid species as well as legends of the deep. Finally, an "Octopus and Squid Family Tree" explains the scientific classification of cephalopods.

The strength of this well-designed 64-page book is really the photographs and historical illustration. More than 95 vivid color photographs from leading underwater photographers grace its pages, and the quality of the printing is outstanding for a book of this type.

Octopus and Squid would make a good introduction to the cephalopod world for the uninitiated. Most TONMO readers may already be familiar with most of the information contained in this little book. It is worth owning for the photos!
  • Published
    Feb 22, 2015
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