Sepia apama

Giant Cuttlefish

Tot 1 meter
1-2 jaar
Kwetsbaar
Over

Giant Cuttlefish

The giant Australian cuttlefish is the world's largest cuttlefish species, reaching up to 1 metre in length and weighing up to 10 kg. Every winter, tens of thousands gather in the shallow waters of South Australia's Spencer Gulf for one of the most spectacular breeding aggregations in the marine world. Males compete with dazzling colour displays, while smaller males use mimicry to sneak past rivals disguised as females.

Grootte

Tot 1 meter (mantle length 50 cm)

Gewicht

Tot 10.5 kg

Levensduur

1-2 jaar

Status

Kwetsbaar

Waar je ze kunt vinden

Beste duiklocaties

Whyalla, South AustraliëCabbage Tree Bay, SydneyPort Phillip Bay, MelbourneRapid Bay, South Australië

Duiktips

Giant cuttlefish are remarkably tolerant of divers during the breeding season. Approach slowly and low to the substrate. Watch males flash rapid colour changes during territorial disputes. Night dives reveal their hunting behaviour. Avoid touching them or blocking their path.

Beste seizoen

May to August for the mass breeding aggregation in Whyalla; year-round sightings in southern Australia

Leefgebied

Temperate coastal waters of southern Australia, rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sand flats from 0-100m depth

Voeding

Crabs, shrimp, small fish, and other crustaceans captured with rapid tentacle strikes
Wist je dat?

Leuke weetjes

1

They can change colour, pattern, and skin texture in less than a second

2

Males use a split-screen display—showing male colours to rivals on one side and female colours to mates on the other

3

The Whyalla aggregation can involve over 100,000 individuals in a single season

4

They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any invertebrate

5

After breeding, both males and females die—their entire adult life lasts only one season

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