Do reef squid use their skin to speak a complex language?

Nature · Published 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Deep-sea exploration reveals a world of sophisticated communication and bizarre mating rituals. This documentary follows a scientific team to the Caribbean to investigate how reef squid might use skin patterns as a form of language.

Led by Dr. Jennifer Mather, a team of scientists traveled to the island of Bonaire to test a controversial theory: reef squid communicate through complex patterns painted on their skin. The footage captures never-before-filmed egg-laying rituals and unique courtship behaviors of these cephalopods.

The exploration extends beyond the Caribbean to the Pacific Northwest, where viewers can encounter the world's largest octopus and observe the specialized hunting techniques used by cuttlefish.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Evolutionary relics from an era before fish ruled the oceans
• The ocean's most sophisticated intelligence hides in soft-bodied shadows
• The ocean's shape-shifting masters possess biological capabilities that mirror alien technology
• Is the next alien civilization already living beneath our waves?
• Decoding the secret languages of the ocean's hidden inhabitants
• The Art of Survival in Africa's Barren Landscapes
• The blue heart of our planet is facing a rapid decline
• What does it actually take to survive and live in outer space?
• A high-stakes pursuit at the US border
• How Indigenous stewardship protects the world's most vital ecosystems
• The surreal logic of British comedy in a model shop
• Can art replicate the uplifting feeling of walking through a forest?

More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics