In May 2023, Matteo Santon, a marine visual ecologist at Bristol University, conducted research on cuttlefish hunting behaviors in the shallow-water reefs of Indonesia. His objective was to document the predators' approach from the perspective of their prey, specifically crabs, and to observe the cuttlefish's unique camouflage displays during attacks.
Over the course of a year, Santon and his team filmed more than 200 cuttlefish hunts, revealing four intricate body patterns used by the cuttlefish, including imitations of drifting leaves and corals. These displays may manipulate the visual perception of their prey, potentially masking their movements or leading crabs to perceive them as harmless flora rather than predators.
Cuttlefish are known for their exceptional ability to deceive, utilizing pigment-filled cells and muscular pumps in their skin to change color and texture almost instantaneously. While some of these behaviors have been observed in laboratory settings, their hunting techniques in the wild have received limited study.
Using a GoPro camera and a plexiglass plate, the researchers filmed Broadclub cuttlefish around the islands of Kri and Mansuar. They identified four distinct forms the cuttlefish adopted when approaching crabs, each named to evoke fighting techniques. For instance, in the "passing stripe" form, cuttlefish displayed rhythmic black stripes to appear less threatening, while in the "leaf" form, they mimicked a drifting mangrove leaf.
Other forms included "branching coral," where cuttlefish displayed coralline patterns, and "pulse," where they raised their arms and pulsed black waves, possibly resembling small fish. These movements may provide cuttlefish with additional time to approach their prey, as noted by sensory neurobiologist Trevor Wardill.
The study also indicated that cuttlefish tailored their displays based on the type of crab they were hunting, using the branching coral technique more frequently against better-armored purple mangrove crabs. This raises questions about whether these behaviors are innate or if cuttlefish can adapt their hunting strategies based on experience.
Additionally, cuttlefish sometimes switched between disguises rapidly, a tactic that may serve to confuse both predators and prey. Researchers emphasized that the complexity of these displays reflects significant neural processing capabilities and sophisticated motor coordination.
The findings suggest that cuttlefish may possess a broader range of hunting displays than previously documented in laboratory settings, indicating that their behaviors in the wild could be influenced by environmental factors or boredom in captivity.
Dr. Santon emphasized the importance of studying animals in their natural habitats to gain a deeper understanding of their behaviors.