Cuttlefish
Depth: 40 m · Sunlight Zone
The cuttlefish is a relative of the octopus and the fastest color-changer in the sea. In seconds it sends stripes and patterns rippling across its skin to hunt, hide, or talk to others. Its eyes have a W-shaped pupil.
For scientists
The cuttlefish controls thousands of color cells (chromatophores) and reflective layers beneath them to flash patterns and even moving bands of light in an instant, even though it is colorblind itself. When hunting it mesmerizes crustaceans with pulsing stripes. Its porous internal cuttlebone controls buoyancy through gas-filled chambers.
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