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Watch a cuttlefish transform into a leaf and a coral to hunt its prey

In new video footage, cuttlefish show off their dazzling camouflage techniques, such as creating stripes that move over their bodies or mimicking non-threatening objects

By Sofia Quaglia

20 February 2025

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Cuttlefish have a variety of camouflage techniques

University of Bristol

Cuttlefish use dazzling camouflage to disguise themselves while stalking their prey. New video footage reveals even more about their dramatic mimicry techniques, including how they transform to look like a non-threatening object such as a leaf or coral.

“These are masters, the hypnotists of the underwater world,” says Matteo Santon at the University of Bristol, UK.

Cuttlefish can change their colour and texture in less than a second thanks to millions of pigment sacs in…

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