Good Wednesday y'all!
This Wednesday we are focusing on the Common Cuttlefish
The common cuttlefish, specifically, the European common cuttlefish. Also known as Sepia officinalis
The common cuttlefish is rather small, growing only about 49 cm and about 30 cm in subtropical areas. They're found in the Mediterranean Sea, North sea and Baltic Sea, which are all areas they are native too and thrive in. But they have been found as far away as South Africa, which is significantly outside of their regular zone.
Cuttlefish find predators in many other animals, sharks, dolphins, seals, fish, and other cuttlefish. However, to avoid being eaten they use the method employed by many other Cephalopods of releasing ink. Also like other Cephalopods Cuttlefish are known for their color changing to blend into environments. Unlike other cephalopods they do it better.
The color changin within cuttlefish is actually rather simple when you get down to it. Color changing happens from three top layers of skin working together to make unique colors and patterns. The uppermost layer, called chromatophores, use muscles to contract and expand pigment sacs on demand. Below that layer are the iridophores, which change colors based on special reflective proteins. The lowest layer is made up of Leucophores, which is a base coat color, and one of the purest whites observed within the animal kingdom. Together these layers work together to make a skin that can change like pixels on a screen.
Cuttlefish use these advanced color changing methods to stun prey by putting on a hypnotizing show that temporarily freezes them.
I hope everyone has an amazing Wednesday!