Apr 11, 2014 6:30 AM

Gallery: Absurd Creature of the Week: Cross-Dressing Cuttlefish Puts on World's Most Spectacular Light Show

Photo: © Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder
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If the polychromatic cuttlefish were a breakfast cereal, they’d be Froot Loops. Though I guess they’d get pretty soggy.
Photo: © Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder
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"You're in the wrong neighborhood, punk," say these juvenile pharaoh cuttlefish, who really let the name go to their heads.

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The flamboyant cuttlefish is like a zebra, if zebras could hold their breath for a long time and fed solely on mescaline. *GIF: Nurie Mohamed. Source: [Mohammad Adzri](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnm4I4RBMo)*
Photo: © Roger Hanlon
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A male giant Australian cuttlefish with enlarged fourth arms. Bro, do you even lift?

Photo: © Roger Hanlon
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A cuttlefish projects camouflaging structures called papillae, which are controlled by concentric circles of muscles. With these raised all over its body, you’d imagine that a cuttlefish would make for a pretty good ping-pong player.
Photo: © Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder
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A flamboyant cuttlefish regrets not paying with a credit card.

Photo: © Roger Hanlon
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The cuttlefish's W-shaped eyes provide it excellent vision. But while it can put on a dazzling camouflage show, it's actually color-blind. And that, as scientists say, is effing weird.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
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Either these two pharaoh cuttlefish are hugging or they're mating. It's a really fine line with cuttlefish.

Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
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Behind the scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's new exhibit, Tentacles, where things are decidedly blue. And tubey.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
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The Monterey Bay Aquarium's new Tentacles exhibit under construction in January. Someone will sweep up for the opening tomorrow, though. Don't you worry.

Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
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Construction workers building the new Tentacles exhibit observe a ladder, the most elusive of sea creatures.

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