“Cuttlefish” sounds like a cute fish with big cartoon eyes, right? This is not the case. In fact, the cuttlefish looks more like an octopus than a fish. It is a cephalopod with eight arms and two long tentacles that can shoot when trying to catch prey. One of the most unique things about cuttlefish is that they have an adaptation that allows them to change color, like chameleons, and their pattern! What are these mysterious creatures eating?
How do cuttlefish hunt and eat?
We know many birds with beaks, but sea creatures with beaks? The cuttlefish does have a beak hidden under its arms. They use this beak to tear open shellfish, and barnacles to access the meat inside. Cuttlefish also use their two hidden tentacles to grab prey swimming by. They pull prey to their body and use their beaks for a powerful bite. If the force of their bite does not kill the prey, the venom in the bite will kill. Another technique that cuttlefish use to hunt is to use their color / pattern changing properties to disguise themselves and then catch passing prey by surprise.
What do cuttlefish eat?
If it were cuttlefish, they would have a shrimp buffet! The researchers found that they preferred shrimp to other foods, such as crabs. According to a study from the University of Cambridge, researchers tested twenty-nine cuttlefish. During the day, they made available crabs and shrimp by placing the food at the same distance from the cuttlefish. All the cuttlefish decided to eat shrimp first! Although they prefer shrimp, they will not shy away from crabs, fish, and shrimp. They will also eat smaller octopuses, snails, and muscle.
A complete list of what cuttlefish eat:
- Crustaceans
- Small fish
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Shrimps
- Octopus
- Molluscs
- worms
- Molluscs
- Another cuttlefish
What does cuttlefish eat?
Cuttlefish are not as large as octopuses, the common cuttlefish is about 19 inches long. Therefore, they are hunted by many marine animals, including fish, sharks, dolphins and seals. Another predator is other cuttlefish. They are known to eat young cuttlefish and cuttlefish of various species.
Who is competing with the cuttlefish for food?
Other cephalopods, such as octopus and squid, have the same diet as cuttlefish. The octopus hunts at night and catches animals with its tentacles and the large web between the tentacles. Octopuses also have venom in their beaks. Squids also hunt at night and look for small fish, oysters and crabs. Researchers have found that cuttlefish are adapted to hunt day and night. Night hunting is another instance where cuttlefish use their camouflage technique to their advantage.
Are cuttlefish dangerous to humans?
People very rarely come into contact with cuttlefish, so they are considered harmless to humans. They do produce poison similar to that of octopuses, but it is not known how much poison will be harmful to humans.