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Cunning hunter
Cuttlefish eat swimming crabs, shrimps
and fish. Crabs are always attacked from the rear. The cuttlefish swims
slowly towards its prey with its arm collected around the tentacles. When
the crab is within striking distance, the tentacles are thrown out like
lightening and is pulled back to the arms that hold it tightly. The prey
is brought to the mouth where the cuttlefish bites it with its parrot
like beak. The saliva glands secrete a numbing poison that enters the
prey through its injuries. If the crab manages to pinch the arm of the
cuttlefish, it is released and immediately escapes.
Cuttlefish can also swim over the sandy bottom and squirt
water that scares up shrimps. If the shrimp flees upwards, the cuttlefish
catches it quickly in the same way as the crab. They can also lie in the
sand and wait for their prey. The placing of the eyes gives the cuttlefish
an almost 360° field of vision.
Even indiscret skin-divers have been biten by cuttlefish.
Jet-power
On the underside of the cuttlefish, a
mantle cavity is found, where amongst other things, the gills are located.
At the opening, a funnel like tube is present. While normally breathing,
water is released through the whole of the opening. Water can also be
pressed out by energetic muscular constrictions, resulting in a powerful
squirt of water and enabling the cuttlefish to move itself very quickly,
with jet-power. By directing the tube in its cavity, it is able to controll
its direction of movement. This method of movement is used whilst hunting
or when the cuttlefish is startled. Normally, the arms and fins are used.
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