The blaakhe is a medium-sized mollusk belonging to the class Cephalopoda. It is considered cosmopolitan, that is, a global species. Blaakhe are carnivorous marine invertebrates that move in shoals of up to 1,200 individuals. They swim at speeds up to 15 mph propelled by water ejected through a siphon and by two triangular fins. Their tentacles bear 100–200 suckers, each lined with razor-sharp teeth, with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a large, sharp beak. It displays unusual behavior including bipedal walking and tool use. It is also able to survive for short periods on land, provided they maintain skin moisture.
Size and Description
Behavior and Habits
Relationship with Ka’a’Crede
Size and Description
The main body of the blaakhe is normally 10 in long and including the arms, approximately 20 in long. The blaakhe displays a typical color pattern with dark ramified lines similar to veins, usually with a yellow siphon. The arms are usually dark in color, with inky black suckers. In many color displays, a lighter trapezoidal area can be seen immediately below the eye. Some individuals may grow to 6 ft in mantle length and weigh up to 100 lb. The soft body can rapidly alter its shape, enabling blaakhe to squeeze through small gaps.
Behavior and Habits
The blaakhe hunts at dusk. Crabs, crayfish, and bivalve mollusks (such as cockles) are preferred, although the blaakhe eats almost anything it can catch. It is able to change color to blend in with its surroundings and is able to jump upon any unwary prey that strays across its path. Using its beak, it is able to break into the shells of shelled mollusks. It also possesses venom to subdue its prey. Strategies to defend themselves against predators include the expulsion of ink, the use of camouflage and threat displays, the ability to jet quickly through the water and hide, and even deceit.
Training experiments have shown the blaakhe can distinguish the brightness, size, shape, and horizontal or vertical orientation of objects. They are intelligent enough to learn how to unscrew a jar and are known to raid lobster traps.
Blaakhe show bipedal locomotion where the sandy bottom of waterways is littered with coconut shells. The bipedal motion appears to mimic a floating coconut. Blaakhe also uses tools. These are used for concealment and defense by gathering available debris to create a defensive fortress. Blaakhe have been filmed collecting coconut half-shells discarded by ‘credes from the sea floor. They were then carried up to 60 ft and arranged around the body of the blaakhe to form a spherical hiding place similar to a clam shell.
Relationship with Ka’a’Crede
Although Blaakhe have a reputation of being aggressive towards ‘credes, some disagreement exists on this subject. Research suggests they are only aggressive while feeding; at other times, they are quite passive. In circumstances where these animals are not feeding or being hunted, they exhibit curious and intelligent behavior.
A crittercam attached to two blaakhe revealed that they "talk" with each other by changing color in certain ways, and that they can disguise themselves by shifting the color patterns in other ways. What they are communicating to each other is unknown.
Many blaakhe are used as laboratory animals for ethical testing. Those who care for them often due so in their own homes to give these typically pack animals a sense of security. They are described by their handlers as being a fun-loving character that loves playing with their family and friends. They are companionable, amiable, docile, and generally responsive to their family. They are also characteristically friendly toward strangers. Some can be strong willed. They can be fearless and tenacious. They are generally very good with children; although usually gentle, some can be rambunctious.
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