According to a recent study published in the journal Ecology, crafty cuttlefish utilize a variety of camouflage techniques while stalking their prey. These techniques include imitating harmless ocean elements, such as leaves or coral, and displaying rapid dark stripes along their bodies. Interestingly, individual cuttlefish appear to select distinct hunting patterns suited to their specific environments.

It is well established that cuttlefish, along with other members of the cephalopod family, can swiftly alter the colors of their skin due to its unique structure. As highlighted in earlier reports, squid skin is translucent and features an outer layer known as chromatophores, which regulate light absorption. Each chromatophore is linked to muscle fibers that run along the skin’s surface and are also connected to nerve fibers. When these nerves are stimulated with electrical pulses, the muscles contract. This contraction causes the cells to expand, altering the pigmentation and color. Conversely, when the muscles relax, the cells contract, resulting in a decrease in color display.

Beneath the chromatophores lies a different layer called iridophores. Unlike chromatophores, which are based on pigments, iridophores create structural coloration similar to the crystals found in butterfly wings, with the added ability to dynamically change. They can adjust their light reflection to different wavelengths. A 2012 study suggested that this flexible structural coloration in iridophores is associated with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Together, these two layers contribute to the remarkable optical characteristics of squid skin.

Additionally, there are leucophores, which function similarly to iridophores but scatter all wavelengths of light, making them appear white. These cells contain reflectin proteins that typically aggregate into nanoparticles, leading to light scattering instead of absorption or direct transmission. While leucophores are primarily found in cuttlefish and octopuses, some female squid of the genus Sepioteuthis possess leucophores that can be “tuned” to scatter specific light wavelengths. When these cells permit minimal scattering of light, they appear more transparent; conversely, by scattering more light, they become opaque and more visible.

In 2023, researchers discovered that the mechanisms by which cuttlefish create their camouflage patterns are far more intricate than previously understood. They found that cuttlefish can readily adjust their skin patterns to blend in with various backgrounds, whether natural or man-made. Unlike previous assumptions, these creatures do not follow a consistent pathway but often pause to refine their patterns, indicating that feedback plays a vital role in their ability to match their surroundings more effectively.