Cuttlefish Research Paper

Cuttlefish are very interesting creatures. Their name is just one interesting thing about them. The word fish is in their name, but they are not actually fish. Cuttlefish are actually cephalopods in the order of Sepiodia, and are related to octopus and squid. There are many other interesting things about cuttlefish, like their ability to change color, their behavior, and their intelligence.
There are approximately 100 species of cuttlefish, ranging from one to thirty-five inches in length. One of the defining characteristics of cuttlefish, is their ability to change their skin color instantly. “Cuttlefish are sometimes referred to as the chameleons of the sea because of their remarkable ability to rapidly alter their skin color at will” (Cuttlefish, MESA). Cuttlefish change skin color for a few reasons: communication towards other cuttlefish, camouflage from predators, and camouflage from prey. The color change is produced from pigment containing cells called chromatophores, which reflect off other cells called iridophores, and leucophores. The pigment containing chromatophores are encased in a sac that has six to twenty small muscles. When the muscles contract the sac of pigment is

This is a defense behavior used by cuttlefish when a predator is close, or attacking. They will squirt out a cloud of ink, and use it as a screen to escape. Another distinctive behavior among most cuttlefish is mimicry. Cuttlefish will mimic their surroundings to hide from predators or prey. Certain cuttlefish will also mimic their prey. One major act of mimicry occurs during mating. Male cuttlefish will mimic female cuttlefish, so that they can get close to a female cuttlefish that is already with a male. The cuttlefish that is mimicking the female will get close enough to mate with the female that is already mating. This behavior is seen most often in the smaller males that could not win a