Pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). The female (left) is laying eggs,protected by her male partner (right). The cuttlefish uses its well developed eyes to detect danger. It can then instantly modify its skin colouring & pattern. This behaviour is also used as a form of communication and to confuse prey. This camouflaging is possible as the skin contains colour cells or chromatophores. Changing their size darkens or lightens the skin,producing an almost infinite range of colours and patterns. It feeds on shrimp and prawns using two tentacles,which are hidden among its eight arms (centre). Photographed in the Andaman Sea,Thailand | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Douwma, Georgette |
Bildgröße: | 4515 px × 3112 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |