Ink sac

Ink sac

An ink sac is an anatomical feature, an ink-containing organ of a cephalopod (octopuses, squids and cuttlefish). This sac can release an inky fluid from a duct opening at the base of the siphon in order to confuse its enemy or prey, or as cover to escape. A general level of provocation is necessary to trigger an octopus to release its ink, as it is biologically costly to produce. Some species can even use their ink to stun or numb their predators.Fact|date=February 2007


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  • Ink sac — Ink Ink, n. [OE. enke, inke, OF. enque, F. encre, L. encaustum the purple red ink with which the Roman emperors signed their edicts, Gr. ?, fr. ? burnt in, encaustic, fr. ? to burn in. See {Encaustic}, {Caustic}.] 1. A fluid, or a viscous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ink-sac — inkˈ bag or inkˈ sac noun A sac in some cuttlefishes, containing a black viscid fluid • • • Main Entry: ↑ink …   Useful english dictionary

  • ink sac — (MOLLUSCA: Cephalopoda) A pear shaped body in the wall of the mantle situated near the anus, containing the ink glands which eject a black substance as a defense mechanism …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • ink sac — n. large gland of cephalopods (such as squid, octopus etc.) which contains ink that is ejected to distract predators …   English contemporary dictionary

  • ink sac — the gland discharging into the cloaca of Lophotidae …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • ink sac — noun : an organ in most cephalopods (as the squid) secreting an inky fluid that can be ejected from a duct opening into the terminal part of the rectum …   Useful english dictionary

  • Ink — Ink, n. [OE. enke, inke, OF. enque, F. encre, L. encaustum the purple red ink with which the Roman emperors signed their edicts, Gr. ?, fr. ? burnt in, encaustic, fr. ? to burn in. See {Encaustic}, {Caustic}.] 1. A fluid, or a viscous material or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ink bag — Ink Ink, n. [OE. enke, inke, OF. enque, F. encre, L. encaustum the purple red ink with which the Roman emperors signed their edicts, Gr. ?, fr. ? burnt in, encaustic, fr. ? to burn in. See {Encaustic}, {Caustic}.] 1. A fluid, or a viscous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ink berry — Ink Ink, n. [OE. enke, inke, OF. enque, F. encre, L. encaustum the purple red ink with which the Roman emperors signed their edicts, Gr. ?, fr. ? burnt in, encaustic, fr. ? to burn in. See {Encaustic}, {Caustic}.] 1. A fluid, or a viscous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ink plant — Ink Ink, n. [OE. enke, inke, OF. enque, F. encre, L. encaustum the purple red ink with which the Roman emperors signed their edicts, Gr. ?, fr. ? burnt in, encaustic, fr. ? to burn in. See {Encaustic}, {Caustic}.] 1. A fluid, or a viscous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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