Where does this come from, and can I check it?

They stretch pigment sacs in a fraction of a second to match the seabed. The figure is taken from Britannica, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a animals fact?

Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Cuttlefish change skin colour with muscle powered cells

They stretch pigment sacs in a fraction of a second to match the seabed Yellow, red and brown chromatophores sit in layers and each is controlled by radial muscles. Reflective cells beneath them add blue and green hues. Cuttlefish can produce moving patterns across the skin while their eyes are closed. It sits in Mondo's animals collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

Britannica

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

Go further

Nature & Animals trivia

More facts like this

Cuttlefish change skin colour and texture in less than a secondThousands of pigment cells controlled directly by nerves alter cuttlefish skin.A sloth fur hosts a whole ecosystem of algae and insectsGreen algae growing in sloth fur provides camouflage and extra nutrients.The mimic octopus impersonates toxic sea creatures to evade threatsIt alters body shape and movement to copy lionfish, sea snakes, and soles.Glass frogs have transparent skin that reveals their beating heartTranslucent ventral abdominal skin shows working internal organs.Satanic leaf-tailed geckos mimic rotting dried leaves perfectlyVeined flattened tails and notched bodies blend with forest foliage.Leafy seadragons feature leaf-like appendages that never propel themComplex skin lobes resemble floating seaweed for complete disguise.

Tags: cuttlefish, colour, camouflage

Cuttlefish change skin colour with muscle powered cells: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: They stretch pigment sacs in a fraction of a second to match the seabed. The figure is taken from Britannica, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a animals fact?: Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.