Researchers have discovered how cuttlefish use visual tricks to avoid being eaten by using similar camouflage techniques on their prey. A study led by Dr. Matteo Santon in Indonesia’s shallow-water reefs found that cuttlefish employ unique tactics when hunting.
Dr. Santon, a marine visual ecologist at Bristol University, aimed to capture the experience of being a crab during a cuttlefish hunt. He recorded footage of the predators’ approach from the prey’s perspective. The results revealed an astonishing display of camouflage by the cephalopods.
The study shows that cuttlefish use visual illusions to confuse their prey, including crabs like those found in Indonesian waters. This remarkable adaptation allows them to evade predation and successfully hunt without being detected.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/science/cuttlefish-camouflage-huting-crabs.html