Cuttlebone facts for kids
Cuttlebone, also called cuttlefish bone, is a hard, inner shell found in all cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are amazing sea animals that are related to squid and octopus. This special bone helps them float in the water.
The cuttlebone is mostly made of a material called aragonite. This is a type of calcium carbonate, similar to what seashells are made of. The cuttlebone has many small, gas-filled spaces inside. These spaces help the cuttlefish control how high or low it floats in the ocean.
Cuttlefish can only go so deep in the water. Their cuttlebones can break or "implode" if they go deeper than about 200 to 600 meters (650 to 2,000 feet). Because of this, most cuttlefish live in shallow waters. You can usually find them on the continental shelf, which is the edge of a continent that is under the sea.
How People Use Cuttlebone
In the past, cuttlebone was ground into a fine powder. This powder was used for different things. People added it to toothpaste to help clean teeth. It was also used as a medicine for upset stomachs or to soak up liquids.
Today, cuttlebones are often given to pets. They are a great source of calcium for many animals. You might see them in cages with birds, chinchillas, hermit crabs, reptiles, and snails.
Cuttlebone in Jewelry Making
Cuttlebone is also useful for making jewelry. It can handle very high temperatures. Plus, it's easy to carve and shape. This makes it a good material for creating molds to cast small metal items.
To make a mold, jewelers cut a cuttlebone in half. They rub the two halves together until they fit perfectly flat. Then, they carve a design into the cuttlebone. They also add a small channel, called a "sprue," for the metal to flow through. Next, they melt metal in a special pot. Finally, they pour the hot, liquid metal into the cuttlebone mold through the sprue. Once the metal cools, the sprue is cut off, and the new piece of jewelry is polished.
Images for kids
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Common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis -
Fossil cuttlebone of the Pliocene species Sepia rugulosa
See also
In Spanish: Jibión para niños
