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One that didn’t get away…

Oct 15, 2024

"Cuttlefish have been fascinating us for years...."

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!

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