23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Giant Cuttlefish Demise

Giant cuttlefish live short, brilliant lives, usually dying after an extended breeding season. Here a port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) eats the remains. The ink from the cuttlefish exploding from the ruptured ink sack, engulfing the shark as it consumes its meal. The body of a dead giant cuttlefish was feasted on by port jackson sharks. Various shark took turns to bite into the flesh, shaking it vigourously in their mouths to tear a bite-sized mouthful.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Sydney, Australia
Camera: ILCE-7RM5
Copyright: © Peter McGee