but most of the creatures come together
for a very different reason
to breed
the giant cuttlefish
the largest of all cuttlefish
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they live for just one or two years
now as the australian summer draws to an
end
they have one last act to complete
to find a mate
but there are over 100 000 males
competing for the arriving females in
this one bay
among them a giant a true goliath
he probably weighs about 10 kilos
bands of color sweep across his skin
that’s how cuttlefish communicate
uh
this smaller male couldn’t possibly take
him on
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beside goliath and under his protection
a female who has just mated with him
but other rivals are still interested
it seems a small male wouldn’t stand a
chance
the female is now displaying a white
stripe along her side nearest goliath
it’s a clear signal that she no longer
wants to mate with him
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it’s all the encouragement that the
little male needs
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he’s going to have to use trickery
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he tones down his colors
and tucks in his arms
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he’s just the right size to mimic a
female
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goliath is deceived
the small male now displays a white
stripe just like the real female to
deter his advances
he slips beside her
and they mate
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by mating with multiple partners
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the female ensures the greatest genetic
diversity for her young
the sneaky male leaves
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his final act complete
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so even among giant cuttlefish it seems
it’s not all about size
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