Flashing Cuttlefish in Palau

[ngerdubech7]

WOW!!! Freaken awesome!!!! your so lucky to see it live...wow!!! palau?

[sweetangel74]

That is one BIG cuttlefish. I'm still awed at how beautiful nature truly is.

By the way, does he do parties? XD

[gwmonkeyking]

A diver, at the left of the frame in the beginning of the video, is taking flash photos. The cuttlefish has reflective cells (iridophores), and pigmented cells (chromatophores, melanophores, etc.), but doesn't emit light (photophores).

[crashtv]

Did anyone say it did? They change colour by controlling the size of pigmented cells across their whole body - a bit like us being able to make the hairs on arm stand up.

And yes, correct, they do not emit light. Most sea creatures that emit light use bacteria for that, often it's as if it's part of their body's make up - similar to us requiring all manner of bacteria for digestion.

[gwmonkeyking]

I knew very little about cuttlefish before seeing this video, so the video's title suggested to me that the cuttlefish was causing the bright flashes in the video. After a little research, I thought I'd share my conclusion. I'm glad you agree.

[TERRORcop]

i thought he does that to confuse his prey !!??

[Gothivore]

@TERRORcop they do, but they also do it when something or some one breaches their comfort zone

[bassproguy66]

there so amazing

[Jetli390]

WOAH!!!! That's hot!

[icekingxxx]

what the hell. that is soo sick

[greenglue93]

i love when they do that