Cuttlefish have been fascinating us for years. Their bodies pulsate with vibrant waves of colour, their tentacles splay out like delicate fingers and their fringe-like fins flutter vigorously in the current. They’re probably best known for their flashy colour-changing skills and weird looks, but there is more to Cuttlefish than meets the eye…
From their marvellous memories to jet-propulsion abilities, discover more facts about these fascinating creatures:
Fun facts about Cuttlefish
- They have not one, not two, but three hearts!
- Their blood is blue, which is more efficient in transporting oxygen
- They’re colour-blind, seeing in black and white only, but have truly impressive vision
- Specialized skin cells called ‘chromatophores’ enable them to change colour and mimic their surroundings in seconds!
- There are more than 120 species of Cuttlefish
- During the mating season, young males can mimic females, to distract mature males
- They have extremely large brains so are super-intelligent – even having a memory to solve puzzles etc
- Cuttlefish have eight arms and two tentacles which have suckers on their tips for hunting
- When threatened, they expel an ink called ‘sepia’ – to help them deter predators or camouflage themselves while making a speedy escape
- Cuttlefish propel themselves by means of a fringe of fin along the side of their body and jets of water from their siphon
- They’re molluscs but instead of an external shell they have an internal ‘cuttlebone’ which is chalky & filled with gas to help with buoyancy
- Although equivalent to 90 human years, theirs is a short lifespan – generally only 20 months
- Despite their strange looks, they’re good to eat!