Unlocking the Secrets of Cuttlefish Communication: What Their Mysterious ‘Waves’ Really Mean

Researchers have recently discovered something intriguing about cuttlefish: they wave at each other with their tentacles. This behavior highlights their intelligence and opens new avenues for study.

Cuttlefish, known as the “chameleons of the sea,” are famous for their exceptional camouflage skills. Like other cephalopods, such as octopuses, they showcase remarkable intelligence. The newfound waving behavior adds complexity to our understanding of these animals. Although this research is still in preliminary stages and has not undergone peer review, it can be found on the preprint server bioRxiv.

The study focused on two cuttlefish species, S. officinalis and S. bandensis, and involved observing four distinct arm movements. Researchers recorded these actions and played the videos back to the cuttlefish, who waved in response. Interestingly, they waved more when the videos were displayed upright, indicating they recognize the directionality of the images. The four arm movements were labeled “up,” “side,” “roll,” and “crown.”

As for what these waves mean, researchers have some theories. The signals might suggest dominance, as cuttlefish often withdrew after seeing a wave. They could also be part of courtship or simply expressions of mood, particularly since young cuttlefish, not yet sexually mature, participated in the waving. The researchers noted, “These signs may have multiple meanings depending on the situation.”

However, the arm waves offer more than just visual cues. They also create mechanical waves in the water. This means that even when cuttlefish can’t see each other underwater, they might still perceive these signals through vibrational sensations. Preliminary experiments support this idea, suggesting that their communication involves both sight and touch.

Previous studies showed that cuttlefish can wait for a better reward, indicating advanced planning—a trait previously thought limited to mammals and birds. This adds more depth to their intelligence.

Lead researcher Sophie Cohen-Bodénès from the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in France highlights that machine learning could analyze these arm signals to enhance our understanding of cuttlefish communication. Similar techniques have been successful in studying sperm whale clicks, revealing distinct patterns in their communication.

Cuttlefish intelligence is still shrouded in mystery, but this new research hints at many secrets waiting to be uncovered.

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animal behavior,animal communication,Animals,cephalopods,Wave