Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish
With eight arms, three hearts and blue blood, the cuttlefish could easily be mistaken for something from outer space! However, many of these highly intelligent animals can be found locally, swimming the coastal waters and estuaries off the coast of Western Australia.
One species in particular, the giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama) is the largest and most abundant, reaching lengths of up to 800 mm. Not actually a fish, as its name suggests, this animal belongs to a group known as the cephalopods, meaning 'head foot'. Like other cephalopods, the giant cuttlefish has a well-developed head and highly advanced sensory mechanisms. Their sucker-like appendages, which include eight muscular arms and two retractable tentacles, are all connected to the head. With a parrot-like beak they feast on a variety of small fish, and crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp. Stalking their prey, they often attempt to overwhelm it with spectacular colour displays of yellows, oranges, and reds.
Curious, colourful and sometimes aggressive, these creatures are mostly solitary, hiding in underwater caves during the day. Known as the 'chameleons of the sea', cuttlefish are the masters of camouflage, rapidly changing their appearance to blend into their surroundings. Divers often encounter these displays as they approach the cuttlefish's territory. Should these animals feel threatened, they also have a special sac that can discharge a cloud of ink to confuse predators and allow them to make their escape.
During breeding season (beginning of winter), thousands of these animals will come together to spawn. They have a short life cycle of only two years and die soon after reproducing. Large numbers of cuttlefish bone washing up on the shore is often an indication of the end of another breeding season.
Did you know…the cuttlebone you often find washed up on the beach is actually made of a substance called calcium carbonate. This 'bone' helps the animal maintain its buoyancy.