How do cephalopods camouflage?

Using their excellent eyesight and chromatophores, cephalopods camouflage themselves by creating color patterns that closely match the underlying seafloor. In squid, color changes also occur when the animal is disturbed or feels threatened.

What is the purpose of chromatophores?

The primary function of the chromatophores is camouflage. They are used to match the brightness of the background and to produce components that help the animal achieve general resemblance to the substrate or break up the body’s outline.

What happens when a cuttlefish turns a different color?

The skin of cuttlefish changes color rapidly using elastic pigment sacs called chromatophores, in order to evade predators.

How do cephalopods change color?

Cephalopods primarily change colors by using chromatophores. Imagine a small clear balloon that is filled with ink. Now imagine five or so small muscles attached to the balloon and radiating away from it. When the muscles are relaxed, the surface area of the sac is small and the color is not expressed.

How do cephalopods move?

Perhaps the most common type of locomotion used by cephalopods is jet propulsion. To travel by jet propulsion, a cephalopod such as a squid or octopus will fill its muscular mantle cavity, which is used to get oxygenated-water to their gills, with water and then quickly expel the water out of the siphon.

How do cuttlefish use camouflage?

The cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) camouflages itself by contracting the muscles around tiny, coloured skin cells called chromatophores. The cells come in several colours and act as pixels across the cuttlefish’s body, changing their size to alter the pattern on the animal’s skin.

How does camouflage help a cuttlefish?

Cuttlefish possess up to millions of chromatophores, each of which can be expanded and contracted to produce local changes in skin contrast. By controlling these chromatophores, cuttlefish can transform their appearance in a fraction of a second. They use camouflage to hunt, to avoid predators, but also to communicate.

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