You’re Not Hallucinating. That’s Just Squid Skin. | Deep Look
Octopuses and cuttlefish are masters of underwater camouflage, blending in seamlessly against a rock or coral. But squid have to hide in the open ocean, mimicking the subtle interplay of light, water, and waves. How do they do it? (And it is NOT OCTOPI)
SUBSCRIBE to Deep Look!
DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
* NEW VIDEOS EVERY OTHER TUESDAY! *
--- How do squid change color?
For an animal with such a humble name, market squid have a spectacularly hypnotic appearance. Streaks and waves of color flicker and radiate across their skin. Other creatures may posses the ability to change color, but squid and their relatives are without equal when it comes to controlling their appearance and new research may illuminate how they do it.
To control the color of their skin, cephalopods use tiny organs in their skin called chromatophores. Each tiny chromatophore is basically a sac filled with pigment. Minute muscles tug on the sac, spreading it wide and exposing the colored pigment to any light hitting the skin. When the muscles relax, the colored areas shrink back into tiny spots.
--- Why do squid change color?
Octopuses, cuttlefish and squid belong to a class of animals referred to as cephalopods. These animals, widely regarded as the most intelligent of the invertebrates, use their color change abilities for both camouflage and communication. Their ability to hide is critical to their survival since, with the exception of the nautiluses, these squishy and often delicious animals live without the protection of protective external shells.
But squid often live in the open ocean. How do you blend in when there’s nothing -- except water -- to blend into? They do it by changing the way light bounces off their their skin -- actually adjust how iridescent their skin is using light reflecting cells called iridophores. They can mimic the way sunlight filters down from the surface. Hide in plain sight.
Iridophores make structural color, which means they reflect certain wavelengths of light because of their shape. Most familiar instances of structural color in nature (peacock feathers, mother of pearl) are constant–they may shimmer when you change your viewing angle, but they don’t shift from pink to blue.
--- Read the article for this video on KQED Science:
--- More great DEEP LOOK episodes:
What Gives the Morpho Butterfly Its Magnificent Blue?
Nature’s Mood Rings: How Chameleons Really Change Color
Pygmy Seahorses: Masters of Camouflage
--- Related videos from the PBS Digital Studios Network!
Cuttlefish: Tentacles In Disguise - It’s Okay to Be Smart
Why Neuroscientists Love Kinky Sea Slugs - Gross Science
The Psychology of Colour, Emotion and Online Shopping - YouTube
--- More KQED SCIENCE:
Tumblr:
Twitter:
KQED Science:
Funding for Deep Look is provided in part by PBS Digital Studios and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Deep Look is a project of KQED Science, which is supported by HopeLab, The David B. Gold Foundation; S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation; The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation; The Vadasz Family Foundation; Smart Family Foundation and the members of KQED.
#deeplook #squid #octopus
38 views
149
32
1 month ago 00:03:14 1
Manizha - Russian Woman - Russia 🇷🇺 - Official Video - Eurovision 2021
1 month ago 00:06:12 1
Hiroyuki Sawano - Before My Body Is Dry (ft. Mika Kobayashi) [Talurre Remix]
1 month ago 00:14:53 1
What a pity if you don’t know about this method of growing potatoes in tires. Large, many tubers
1 month ago 01:03:03 1
Самая красивая мелодия в мире...ВОССТАНОВЛЕНИЕ НЕРВНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ! До слез красивая мелодия! #2024
1 month ago 00:51:17 1
I am a reincarnated God of Destruction ⚡
1 month ago 00:03:14 1
BAD OMENS x POPPY - (Official Music Video)
1 month ago 00:05:59 1
The College Scam
1 month ago 00:02:29 1
Isabela Merced - PAPI
1 month ago 00:00:41 1
Why Elon Musk’s biggest inspiration is Kanye 😳
1 month ago 00:03:41 1
Andrew Tate - On My Own (Music Video)
1 month ago 00:03:16 1
Sunfall - Broken Mirrors // Lies (Official Music Video)
1 month ago 01:29:25 1
Самая красивая мелодия в мире! Эту музыку можно слушать вечно! Отличная музыка Сергей Грищук
1 month ago 00:04:36 1
Bad Wolves - Zombie (Official Video)
1 month ago 10:00:00 1
Study Hack | Waterfall White Noise for Focus while Studying | 10 Hours
1 month ago 00:03:52 1
Talking To Myself [Official Music Video] - Linkin Park
1 month ago 00:00:38 1
POV: Your whole team is dead but Robin is still singing
1 month ago 00:04:51 1
Dååth - Ascension (Official Video)
1 month ago 00:04:47 1
French Montana - Unforgettable ft. Swae Lee
1 month ago 03:33:33 1
888Hz Place your brain in the frequency of wealth, prosperity & abundanceㅣAbundance Frequency
1 month ago 00:00:17 1
So you’re NOT making dinner, right? #shorts
1 month ago 00:12:49 1
Push Sacrum and Raise your Arms 5 times a day for 2 weeks, then Bulging Belly Fat will be Removed
1 month ago 01:59:53 1
Greatest Hits 1950s Oldies But Goodies Of All Time 💿 50s Greatest Hits Songs 🎧 Oldies Music Hits