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Phylum Mollusca > Class Cephalopoda > squids and cuttlefishes
Cephalapod eggs
updated Feb 09

if you learn only 3 things about them ...
Egg capsules contain living eggs or tiny animals. Don't disturb them.
Egg capsules are found on stones and among seaweeds. Watch your step.
Please don't bring egg capsules home. Thousands of baby animals may die.

Where seen? These egg capsules are seen on many of our shores and can be seasonally common. These capsules were probably produced by cephalopods which includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish.

Features: Some take the form of small tear-drop shaped capsules (1.5-2cm) joined together to form a 'string' about 10-15cm long. The entire assembly is usually attached to a firm structure or surface such as a tubeworm's tube or sea fans (gorgonians). Some are also attached to seaweeds. The capsules are black but become transparent just before the babies emerge as miniatures of the adults.

Other egg capsules look like white sausage-shaped capsules 6-8cm long. Usually seen in a bunch of several 'sausages' attached to large masses of seaweeds.

A bunch of sausage-shaped capsules.
Sentosa, Oct 03

Chek Jawa, Dec 02
 

Changi, Jun 06

Pulau Semakau, Jan 05

Cephalopod eggs on Singapore shores


String of black egg capsules
Changi, Jul 02

Developing babies
Changi, Jul 03

Another kind of egg capsule commonly seen.
Pulau Hantu, Feb 08

more photos of cephalopod egg capsules
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