Extreme body modification
Cuttlefish and their relatives can take on a new identity at will
Chromatophores
The skin surface contains sacs of pigment called chromatophores. These can be contracted and relaxed to concentrate or spread out the inky fluid to darken or lighten the skin.
Long lens
Cuttlefish eyes focus back and forth like a camera lens and are able to perceive edges of objects, judge distance and identify background objects to pose as.
Leucophores
These flattened, elongated, reflective cells are found in the skin of many shallow-water octopods, including some cuttlefish and squid species.
Texture transformation
Circular bands of muscles embedded in the skin can force flesh to take on a new shape. The spiky flesh mirrors the texture of rock, coral or other naturally occurring ocean structures.
Iridophores
Iridophores are reflective plates of protein that can change the way light reflects off the skin. This can make the skin appear brightly coloured.
Colour blind
Despite their miraculous colour-changing ability, cephalopods like cuttlefish and octopuses are unable to detect colour in the same way as humans can.
Arms up
The tentacles can be moved and held in place to increase the cuttlefish’s camouflage. Raising or splaying the arms changes the animal’s shape.