Cuttlebone, also known as cuttlefish bone, is a hard, brittle internal structure found in all members of the family Sepiidae, commonly known as cuttlefish. Cuttlefish bone is topically smooth and white, with small, varied lines or ridges. The shell is rich in minerals such as calcium and carbon, and contains more than a dozen amino acids. It is usually boiled, then dried and prepared as a powder for herbal remedies. Today, cuttlefish bones are commonly used as calcium-rich dietary supplements for caged birds, chinchillas, hermit crabs, and reptiles, as well as domesticated snails.