Prey capture by the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L): An experimental study of two strategies.

This study shows that the size of the prey (Carcinus maenas ) relative to the predator (Sepia officinalis ) is of importance in the choice between two types of attack: either capture by ejection of the two extensible tentacles, or capture by jumping on the prey. Small crabs are preferentially captured by the first method and large crabs by the second. Other factors which may explain the observed variations, include previous experience of the predator and the behaviour of the prey.