What is the giant Australian cuttlefish?
The giant Australian cuttlefish is the world's largest cuttlefish species, found in southern Australian waters. Each winter, huge numbers gather near Whyalla in South Australia to breed.
Cuttlefish are cephalopods, related to squid and octopus. The giant Australian cuttlefish can grow to about 50 centimetres in body length and weigh several kilograms. It has a broad body, eight arms and two long feeding tentacles.
Like other cuttlefish, it can change colour and texture in an instant, using special skin cells called chromatophores. It uses these displays to hide from predators, hunt prey and communicate.
The Whyalla gathering
From about May to August, thousands of cuttlefish gather on rocky reefs near Point Lowly, north of Whyalla, the only known mass breeding aggregation of cuttlefish in the world. Males put on dazzling displays to attract females.
Smaller males sometimes disguise themselves as females to sneak past larger rivals and mate. This trick is a famous example of animal deception.
Numbers at Whyalla crashed in the early 2010s, then recovered. The area is now closed to cuttlefish fishing, and snorkelling tours bring visitors in winter.
Did You Know?
Giant Australian cuttlefish live only about one to two years and die soon after breeding.