archiemcphee:

Today National Geographic provides further proof of the overwhelming awesomeness of cuttlefish. Watch how these pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) change their appearance and behavior to mimic hermit crabs so convincingly, it’s hard to believe they’re actually cuttlefish at first glance:

“Researchers from the University of the Ryukyus, Japan, observed this unusual behavior while feeding the cephalopods in the lab. The cuttlefish would bend their arms and move them sharply like they were legs, and also develop dark spots on their skin. The researchers are not certain why the cuttlefish pretend to be hermit crabs but suggest it could be a form of defense useful in hunting small fish. Cuttlefish and other cephalopods are known to use camouflage and mimicry in the wild. The researchers hope to study the cuttlefish further to confirm whether the pharaoh cuttlefish are indeed imitating hermit crabs.”

Click here to learn more about this fascinating cephalopod.

[via National Geographic, h/t: Reddit]