Effects of rearing conditions on sand digging efficiency in juvenile cuttlefish

The effect of environment on the maturation of sand digging behaviour in cuttlefish was studied. Sand digging behaviour of cuttlefish individually reared on sand was daily observed in their rearing tanks (first study). Other cuttlefish were individually reared from hatching to 2 weeks of life in different conditions (Group A, on a sandy substrate and group B, without sand). At days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15, cuttlefish from Groups A and B were placed in a novel tank, the bottom of which was covered by sand (second study). The first study shows that more and more cuttlefish sand dig in their rearing tank during the first 6 days of life. The second study shows that, confronted with a novel sand bottom, cuttlefish from Group A show shorter latencies of sand digging and they cover more completely than do cuttlefish from Group B. This indicates that the developmental changes in sand digging appear not totally pre-programmed, but at least partially experience-dependent. Presence of sand in rearing tanks may allow cuttlefish to acquire experience of digging to make this behaviour more efficient.