Call it a case of mistaken identity. When it comes to camouflage, chameleons get all the attention. But the often-overlooked cuttlefish is the real master of disguise. Cousins of the squid and octopus, cuttlefish are amon... more »g the most unusual animals on our planet. These shape-shifting creatures can hypnotize their prey, impersonate the opposite sex and even kill with lightning-fast speed. More accomplished masters of disguise than any chameleon, they have an incredible ability to morph their skin color ? even their shape ? to blend into most any background. Cuttlefish also have one of the largest brain-to-body ratios among the invertebrates. With stunning underwater footage and in-depth expert interviews, NOVA gets up close and personal with this astonishing brainy bunch.« less
Schuylar L. (schuym1) from SERGEANT BLF, IA Reviewed on 7/25/2018...
This is a fun documentary with stunning underwater video. Cuttlefish are very smart animals that are great at camouflage. There was a scene where a diver was seeing if a cuttlefish would attack a toy lobster when he moved it. Poor cuttlefish fell for it for a short while.
Movie Reviews
You'll be amazed!
Keleigh Hague-Bechard | Boise, Idaho | 06/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! Nova really hit the mark this time with its cuttlefish video. I asked my students to watch it on PBS and they were beaming the next day, full of questions and awe! From the surreptitious smaller males who slip in and mate with the females while the larger ones are battling it out, to the small, walking (yes, walking) cuttlefish that will make you smile, but watch out, it's actually poisonous, these highly-advanced mollusks will make you think differently about invertebrates. KUDOS to NOVA for making such a great documentary on a not-so-well-known group of animals!"
Unbelievable!
Fascinated viewer | 08/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was one of the most amazing NOVA shows I've ever seen. I have a degree in Biology, and I'm ashamed to say I don't recall ever even hearing about these animals. I, like many of its prey, was mesmorized by these fascinating creatures. The footage was breath-taking, and the science of how they do such amazing things is equally so. I couldn't stop talking about these fantastic creatures for days after seeing the show. I would give 10 stars if I could. I can't wait to own this myself!"
The Most Amazing Thing I Have Ever Seen!
Red Emma | Seattle, WA USA | 09/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This documentary made me wish I was younger and just entering college because I would go into marine biology just so I could study this amazing creature. Wow! You won't even believe what this animal can do. The cuttlefish truly shows how amazing nature really is."
Quick Change Artists - The Astonishing World of the Cuttlefi
Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 11/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nova here has outdone themselves with their special on Cuttlefish. Marine biologist Roger Hanlon calls them "a yummy hunk of protein swimming in the ocean", and throughout this special astonishing images document the many ways cephalopods, unprotected shelless creatures, developed into the greatest of all nature's disguise artists. Watching these creatures' instanteous transformations as they move from one underwater envirnonment to a totally differing background is a transfixing spectacle. Yet this Nova feature is far more than spectacular state of the art underwater images worthy of the best of Blue Planet.
In less than an hour the show details the most up to date research on these unique creatures. We learn this class of molluscs have "evolved large and complex brains compared to other invertebrates." We discover how different are octupuses (solitary, anti-social) from cuttlefish (more social). For years octupuses got all the glory and study, they were easier to interact with, to anthropomorphize, as they would directly interact with humans. Today cuttlefish are receiving more and more interest, and as one researcher puts it, 'Am I smart enough to find out how smart they are?'
This show asks, and prompts questions. It's perfect for young people, and makes for riveting viewing as these champion color-changers captivate and amaze. Yet any adult will be humbled by such seemingly alien creatures - we don't have to travel the universe to find creatures strange beyond our wildest imaginings.
Nova supports this show with an outstanding website with each of the shows unique segements discussed in written text and images. The differing aspects of the cuttlefish and it's breathen cephalopods are nicely presented for further study and investigation.
A top education DVD that anyone can marvel at and enjoy!
Please Note! Nova only offers this for sale in regular DVD, perhaps because the emphasis is on bringing this show to the classroom. Yet the show also runs on television in High Definition: the leap in colors and detail amazes! If you can catch it in HD - don't miss it!"
One of my high school students' favorites!
Leslie Robbins | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 06/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this video/dvd. It is at a detailed enough level to interest high school students. And they loved it, too. I had them write essays after viewing it and I was very pleased with what they created.
My very picky students loved the video so much that the classes that saw it last were coming into the classroom asking, "Do we get to see the cuttlefish video, too?""