Gallery: Absurd Creature of the Week: Cross-Dressing Cuttlefish Puts on World's Most Spectacular Light Show
Photo: © Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder0112-264.tif
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 Wilder02RW11-119.tif
"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 Hanlon04cuttlefish-03
A male giant Australian cuttlefish with enlarged fourth arms. Bro, do you even lift?
Photo: © Roger Hanlon05Papillae-RHanlon
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 Wilder0611-599.tif
A flamboyant cuttlefish regrets not paying with a credit card.
Photo: © Roger Hanlon07cuttlefish-04
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/WIRED08cuttlefish-05
Either these two pharaoh cuttlefish are hugging or they're mating. It's a really fine line with cuttlefish.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED09cuttlefish-09
Behind the scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's new exhibit, Tentacles, where things are decidedly blue. And tubey.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED10cuttlefish-06
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/WIRED11cuttlefish-07
Construction workers building the new Tentacles exhibit observe a ladder, the most elusive of sea creatures.
