Arabia's coral reefs are home to some of nature's most impressive illusionists. 阿拉伯的珊瑚礁是大自然最令人印象深刻的魔术师的家园。
Animals that can transform themselves 能自我改造的动物
often in the blink of an eye. 经常在眨眼之间。
The most flamboyant pulsate with color 最艳丽的与色彩搏动
and engage in enthralling displays of showmanship. 并进行迷人的表演。
Camouflage helps others to become almost invisible. 伪装帮助其他人变得几乎看不见。
Elaborate disguises and clever distractions 精心的伪装和巧妙的分散注意力
can favor the bold. 喜欢大胆的人。
These are Arabia's Magicians Of The Reef. 这些是阿拉伯的珊瑚礁魔术师。
It's late May in the Gulf of Oman. 现在是5月下旬，在阿曼湾。
Temperatures are rising,as summer approaches. 随着夏天的临近，气温在上升。
The Gulf is situated off the east coast 海湾位于东海岸
of the Arabian Peninsula. 阿拉伯半岛的。
It borders the coasts of Oman,United Arab Emirates, 它与阿曼、阿拉伯联合酋长国接壤，
Iran and Pakistan. 伊朗和巴基斯坦。
It connects the shallow Arabian Gulf 它连接着浅阿拉伯湾
to the northwest 西北方向
to the deeper,cooler Arabian Sea further south. 再往南更深处、更冷的阿拉伯海。
In this underwater paradise, 在这个水下乐园里，
conditions are now favorable for the brief,but intense, 现在的情况有利于短暂但激烈的，
breeding season of one extraordinary magician. 一个非凡魔术师的繁殖季节。
The cuttlefish. 墨鱼。
Cuttlefish are members of the cephalopod family, 乌贼是头足类的一员，
which also includes octopus and squid. 其中还包括章鱼和鱿鱼。
All of these highly intelligent mollusks 所有这些高度智能的软体动物
have three hearts,eight arms 有三颗心，八只手臂
and the largest brains of any living invertebrate. 是所有无脊椎动物中最大的大脑。
Cephalopods are notorious masters of disguise. 头足类动物是臭名昭著的伪装大师。
They can change their appearance 他们可以改变自己的外表
to match their surroundings and escape detection. 与周围环境相匹配，并逃脱侦查。
These magicians are also able 这些魔术师也能
to alter their body patterns and color, 改变他们的体型和颜色，
to put on quite a show. 上演一场精彩的演出。
The breeding season in the Gulf 海湾的繁殖季节
is the cuttlefish's chance to really show off. 是乌贼真正炫耀的机会。
These are pharaoh cuttlefish. 这些是法老墨鱼。
The larger of this pair is the male. 这对中较大的是雄性。
He can grow 16 inches long and weigh up to 11 pounds. 他可以长16英寸长，体重可达11磅。
His stocky,oval body - called a mantle - 他那结实的椭圆形身体，叫做披风-
and his frilled fin edge 还有他皱褶的鳍边
are similar to that of his close relative,the squid. 和他的近亲乌贼很相似。
Like many other cephalopods, 像其他头足类动物一样，
cuttlefish can change color 墨鱼会变色
but they have taken it to extreme levels. 但他们已经把它发挥到了极致。
Their skin is covered in tiny color-changing cells, 他们的皮肤上覆盖着微小的变色细胞，
called chromatophores. 称为染色质体。
This cuttlefish has a staggering 130,000 这只乌贼有惊人的13万只
of these color-changing cells per square inch of skin. 每平方英寸皮肤上的这些变色细胞。
These cells enable it to make these sophisticated changes 这些细胞使它能够做出这些复杂的改变
in color,tone and pattern. 在颜色、色调和图案上。
A large male shadows a smaller female, 一个大男人的影子一个小女人，
as she swims around the reef. 当她在礁石周围游泳时。
As he detects they have company, 当他发现他们有同伴时，
he boosts his pattern and flashes dark spots 他增加了他的模式，并闪烁黑点
as a warning. 作为警告。
This female is his. 这个女人是他的。
He follows her closely. 他紧跟着她。
Raising his eight arms at her 向她举起八只手臂
doesn't appear to attract her attention. 似乎没有引起她的注意。
In a split second, 一瞬间，
he flexes tiny muscles under his skin, 他让皮肤下的小肌肉弯曲，
to make it stand up. 让它站起来。
These projections are called papillae. 这些突起称为乳突。
They help him blend into the coral. 他们帮助他融入珊瑚。
But cuttlefish also use them 但是墨鱼也用它们
during these courtship displays. 在这些求爱表演中。
The female can perform the same tricks, 雌性也能表演同样的把戏，
to also mimic the coral. 也可以模仿珊瑚。
The male's efforts still draw no response. 雄性的努力仍然没有得到回应。
He raises his game 他提高了球技
splaying his tentacle arms 张开他的触手
in an attention-grabbing display. 在一个吸引眼球的展示中。
Still nothing. 还是什么都没有。
He switches his color off. 他把颜色关了。
Finally,she responds. 最后，她做出了回应。
Their arms entwine, 他们的胳膊缠在一起，
as they lock in a face-to-face embrace. 当他们面对面拥抱时。
The male uses a special arm called a hectocotylus 雄性使用一种特殊的手臂，叫做hectocotylus
to transfer sperm directly into a cavity 直接将精子转移到洞里
near the female's mouth. 靠近雌性的嘴。
His top two arms drape over her head, 他的上臂搭在她的头上，
as he holds on to her. 当他抓住她时。
Cuttlefish can stay locked together like this 墨鱼可以像这样锁在一起
for up to seven minutes at a time. 每次最多七分钟。
If the male can retain her interest 如果男性能保持她的兴趣
and protect her from other males, 保护她不受其他男性的伤害，
they will mate again. 它们会再次交配。
This love match is not over yet. 这场爱情比赛还没结束。
Not all cephalopods like to stand out 不是所有的头足类动物都喜欢脱颖而出
when it comes to mating. 说到交配。
Sometimes it's better to keep a low profile. 有时候还是低调点比较好。
This creature has a disappearing trick. 这个生物有一个消失的诀窍。
The dark shape of a day octopus 黑色的章鱼形状
can barely be seen in this coral crevice. 在这个珊瑚裂缝里几乎看不到。
Without a skeleton, 没有骷髅，
this contortionist can squeeze itself 这个柔术演员会挤压自己
into extremely tight places. 进入非常狭窄的地方。
Only an eye gives him away. 只有一只眼睛能暴露他。
Day octopuses tend to breed year round, 白天章鱼会全年繁殖，
but this one has good reason to avoid attention for now. 但这件事现在有充分的理由避免引起注意。
Mating can spell disaster for males. 交配会给雄性带来灾难。
Female octopuses can cannibalize their partners, 雌性章鱼可以吃掉它们的伴侣，
once they've mated. 一旦它们交配了。
If a female comes looking, 如果一个女人来找你，
this male's vanishing-act rehearsal 这个男人的消失表演彩排
may just save his life. 也许能救他的命。
Like the octopus, 就像章鱼一样，
another of the reef's magicians 另一个珊瑚礁的魔术师
also breeds year round. 也常年繁殖。
He can also make himself invisible. 他也可以让自己隐形。
The seahorse. 海马。
This master of disguise 这个伪装大师
blends perfectly against the coral wall 与珊瑚墙完美融合
surrounded by colorful sea fans. 周围是五彩缤纷的海扇。
This is a great seahorse, 这是一匹很棒的海马，
one of only two species found 只发现了两个物种中的一个
in these enchanting Arabian waters. 在这些迷人的阿拉伯水域。
Seahorses are famous for the male's role 海马以雄性的角色而闻名
during the breeding season. 在繁殖季节。
When she is ready,the female deposits her eggs 当它准备好了，雌性就把它的卵子存起来
into his distinct brood patch, 在他独特的窝里，
the smooth area seen here, 这里看到的平滑区域，
on the front of his body. 在他身体前面。
He fertilizes the eggs inside his pouch 他使育儿袋里的卵受精
and carries them for up to four weeks,as they develop. 在它们发育的过程中可以携带它们长达四周。
Then he gives birth. 然后他生了孩子。
He's anchored to a sea fan by a prehensile tail, 他被一条可卷起的尾巴固定在海扇上，
but he's ready to find a new spot. 但他已经准备好找个新的地方了。
He swims upright,using his dorsal fin 他用背鳍直立游泳
to propel him forward. 推动他前进。
This fin can beat 70 times a second, 这个鳍每秒能打70次，
the same as a hummingbird's wings. 就像蜂鸟的翅膀一样。
Tiny pectoral fins behind his gills 他鳃后有细小的胸鳍
enable him to steer and maintain stability, 使他能够驾驶并保持稳定，
even against the strong sea current. 即使在强大的海流中。
Seahorses don't swim well,so they don't move often. 海马游泳不好，所以不常动。
In his new location,the male simply floats horizontally, 在他的新位置，雄性只需水平漂浮，
moving in rhythm with the current. 随波逐流。
A passing predator may be tricked into seeing it 一个路过的掠食者可能会被诱骗看到它
as just another piece of coral hanging off the reef. 就像珊瑚礁上的另一块珊瑚。
Above the reef,an enormous school of small fish 在礁石上，有一大群小鱼
creates the illusion of a large,impenetrable mass. 创造了一个巨大的，无法穿透的物体的幻觉。
But their trick doesn't guarantee their safety. 但他们的伎俩并不能保证他们的安全。
These silversides are important prey for sharks. 这些银鱼是鲨鱼的重要猎物。
They also face attack from above. 他们也面临来自上层的攻击。
The Damaniyat Islands 达曼尼亚群岛
lie nine miles off the coast of Oman. 距阿曼海岸9英里。
Sooty gulls and terns 乌黑的海鸥和燕鸥
use them to rest on and hunt from. 用它们来休息和狩猎。
They take aim, 他们瞄准目标，
trying to pluck out individuals, 试图把个人挖出来，
disguised in the mesmerizing blur. 伪装在迷人的模糊中。
The fish move,as one, 鱼儿一起移动，
away from the surface,to avoid the danger. 远离水面，以避免危险。
Back on the reef, 在暗礁上，
having established his territory and found a mate 建立了自己的领地并找到了伴侣
the male cuttlefish 雄性墨鱼
tones down his elaborate displays 把他精心制作的陈列品调下来
for now. 现在。
The stakes are high. 风险很大。
Cuttlefish,like all cephalopods, 墨鱼和所有头足类动物一样，
get just one season to pass on their genes. 只需要一个季节就可以遗传他们的基因。
In just a few weeks,those that mate will die. 再过几周，那些交配的人就会死。
This pair makes the most 这双最适合
of their one chance in life to breed. 他们一生中唯一的繁殖机会。
Newly matched pairs mate repeatedly 新配对的重复交配
during their short time together. 在他们短暂的相处中。
The female will fertilize her eggs 雌性将使她的卵受精
with the sperm passed to her from the male. 从男性那里传给她的精子。
Females can delay fertilization 雌性可以推迟受精
for several days after mating 交配后几天
but this one is ready to lay immediately. 但这个已经准备好了。
She tightens her arms up into a fist-like shape, 她把手臂收紧成拳头形状，
to create a chamber near her mouth. 在她嘴巴附近制造一个房间。
Here she breaks open the stored spermatophores 在这里她打开储存的精子团
to fertilize her eggs. 使她的卵受精。
The male is eager to mate again 雄性渴望再次交配
but the female spurns his colorful advances. 但这只雌性拒绝了他那五颜六色的求爱。
She's looking for a suitable rock or a coral crevice 她在找一块合适的岩石或珊瑚裂缝
to tuck her eggs into. 把她的蛋塞进去。
It must be deep enough 一定够深了
to hide them away from hungry predators. 把它们藏起来躲避饥饿的掠食者。
She deposits each tiny egg individually 她把每一个小鸡蛋都单独存放
into the crevice, 在裂缝里，
as she flutters her long fin more rapidly, 当她更迅速地拍打她的长鳍时，
to control her movement. 来控制她的动作。
Cuttlefish control their buoyancy 乌贼控制它们的浮力
through a porous internal shell called a cuttlebone. 通过一个叫做刀骨的多孔内壳。
The pores in the bone enable the animal 骨头上的毛孔使动物
to adjust the volume of air and water inside its body, 调节体内空气和水的体积，
thereby changing its weight and position in the water. 从而改变它在水中的重量和位置。
The male switches his color off, 男人把他的肤色关掉了，
as he makes another play for her attention. 因为他又在上演另一出戏来吸引她的注意力。
But she is on her own mission: to lay more eggs. 但她有自己的使命：生更多的蛋。
He has to settle for keeping a protective eye on her, 他不得不接受对她的保护，
a behavior known as mate guarding. 一种被称为配偶保护的行为。
He can't risk another male stealing his partner. 他不能冒险让另一个男人偷走他的伴侣。
He must ensure that she has only his sperm 他必须确保她只有他的精子
to fertilize her eggs. 使她的卵受精。
For now,they are alone in their Arabian-reef romance 目前，他们是孤独的阿拉伯礁浪漫
but pheromones released from their eggs 但它们的卵释放出信息素
will soon attract other mature cuttlefish 很快就会吸引其他成熟的墨鱼
into a mass spawning event, 变成了大规模繁殖事件，
increasing their chances of survival. 增加他们生存的机会。
In Arabian waters, 在阿拉伯水域，
the closest relative to the cuttlefish is the reef squid. 最接近墨鱼的是暗礁鱿鱼。
The two have plenty in common. 两者有很多共同点。
The same-shape mantle, 同样形状的地幔，
with its magical color-changing abilities. 以其神奇的变色能力。
The long fringing fin along its body. 沿着身体的长的流苏鳍。
Large eyes. 大眼睛。
And the same bilateral symmetry,or mirror image, 同样的双侧对称，或者镜像，
of left and right side. 左右两侧。
This one is known as a bigfin reef squid, 这只被称为大鳍鱼，
for rather obvious reasons. 因为相当明显的原因。
These inquisitive magicians are common in these waters 这些好奇的魔术师在这片水域很常见
and are extremely agile. 而且非常敏捷。
Like the octopus and the cuttlefish, 像章鱼和墨鱼，
squid change color and mostly swim backwards. 鱿鱼变色，大多向后游。
They do this using jet propulsion. 他们用喷气推进来完成这个任务。
The squid contracts the muscles in its mantle, 鱿鱼收缩外套的肌肉，
to force water through a funnel known as a hyponome. 把水从漏斗里挤出来。
The squid adjusts the position of the funnel 鱿鱼调整漏斗的位置
located between the head and mantle, 位于头部和地幔之间，
to change direction. 改变方向。
The faster the contraction, 收缩越快，
the faster the squid can escape danger. 鱿鱼越快能逃脱危险。
Unlike the cuttlefish, 不像墨鱼，
squid do not have an internal bone 鱿鱼没有内部骨骼
to control their buoyancy. 控制它们的浮力。
Instead,they manipulate the molecular composition 相反，他们操纵分子组成
of their body fluids. 他们的体液。
In slow motionthey become even more mesmerizing. 在缓慢的动作中，它们变得更加迷人。
Some squid perform elaborate dances 一些乌贼表演精致的舞蹈
when attracting a mate 当吸引伴侣时
but the bigfin reef squid are more subtle. 但大鳍鱿鱼更微妙。
If two are interested in each other, 如果两个人对彼此感兴趣，
they may swim together side by side. 他们可以并肩游泳。
This male squid is on guard. 这只雄鱿鱼在警戒。
Beneath him,a female lays their eggs. 在他下面，一只雌性产卵。
But they have company. 但他们有同伴。
A second male loiters nearby. 另一只雄性在附近闲逛。
He may try and mate with the female. 他可能会尝试和雌性交配。
The guarding male quickly signals his annoyance 守卫的雄性很快发出了他的恼怒信号
by rapidly changing color. 通过快速改变颜色。
It's enough to halt the intruder in his tracks. 这足以阻止入侵者。
He turns the color on 他把颜色调亮了
by contracting his chromatophore muscles, 通过收缩他的色球肌，
and relaxes them to turn it off. 让他们放松下来把它关掉。
This lack of color 这种缺乏颜色
causes his mantle and arms to turn white. 使他的斗篷和手臂变白。
The intruder keeps his distance, 入侵者保持距离，
but doesn't give up. 但不放弃。
Remarkably,the male is also able 值得注意的是，雄性也有能力
to flash different colors on different sides of his body. 在他身体的不同侧面闪烁不同的颜色。
He shows brown to the female, 他给女人看棕色，
to signal everything is fine, 表示一切正常，
but flashes silver to intruders, 但对入侵者闪着银光，
to say,"Keep away." 说“走开。”
This is known as silver lateral display. 这就是所谓的银色横向显示器。
Pulsing dark blotches on his arms 手臂上跳动着的黑斑
and a stripe down his back reinforce the warning: 他背上的条纹强化了这一警告：
"I will defend my mate." “我要保护我的伴侣。”
It's enough to drive his rival away. 这足以把他的对手赶走。
Bold patterns,especially stripes, 大胆的图案，尤其是条纹，
serve as a warning in many animals. 在许多动物身上起到警示作用。
Deadly sea snakes 致命的海蛇
commonly have banded patterns to communicate danger. 通常有带状图案来传达危险。
But this is no serpent. 但这不是蛇。
It's another illusionist. 又是一个魔术师。
A harmless banded snake eel, 一条无害的带状蛇鳗，
masquerading as a toxic sea snake. 伪装成有毒的海蛇。
The eel has a dorsal fin,but a real sea snake does not. 鳗鱼有背鳍，但真正的海蛇没有。
This clever deception is known as Batesian mimicry. 这种巧妙的欺骗被称为贝茨模仿。
It allows the eel to trick predators 它能让鳗鱼欺骗捕食者
into believing it's more deadly than it is, 相信它比它更致命，
allowing it to move confidently around the reef, 让它自信地绕着礁石移动，
as it hunts for small fish and crustaceans. 因为它捕食小鱼和甲壳类动物。
The cuttlefish couple has company. 墨鱼夫妇有伴。
They're in the midst of their breeding cycle, 它们正处于繁殖周期中，
but an intruder is shadowing their every move. 但一个入侵者正在跟踪他们的一举一动。
The male produces dark stripes on his mantle, 雄性在他的外套上产生了黑色的条纹，
to warn off the rival male. 警告对手的雄性。
His opponent may be smaller, 他的对手可能更小，
but darkening his own stripes 但他自己也变黑了
signals his intention to get involved. 暗示他想参与进来。
The male raises his arms to intimidate his rival 雄鸟举起手臂恐吓他的对手
as his mate prepares to lay more eggs. 当它的配偶准备产卵的时候。
Females can,and will,mate with more than one male, 雌性可以，而且会和不止一只雄性交配，
then select whose sperm to use. 然后选择使用谁的精子。
This phenomenon is known as cryptic female choice. 这种现象被称为神秘的女性选择。
The male must ensure 男性必须确保
she doesn't mate with anyone else. 她不跟别人交配。
He turns on his rival. 他背叛了他的对手。
He then conjures up his own silver lateral display - 然后他变出了他自己的银色侧摆-
bold warning stripes to the right, 右边有醒目的警告条纹，
calmer sandy brown to the left - 冷静点的桑迪·布朗在左边-
to reassure the female. 让女人安心。
He mustn't let her slip out,into the arms of his rival. 他不能让她溜走，落入对手的怀抱。
The intruder may be outsized and out-striped, 入侵者可能会体型过大，全身都是条纹，
but he's not about to give up. 但他不会放弃的。
As the female finishes laying 当雌性完成铺设
her protector makes his move. 她的保护者开始行动。
He out-maneuvers his rival 他击败了他的对手
but the little guy is ready. 但小家伙已经准备好了。
He touches the larger male. 他摸了摸大一点的雄性。
This is an uncommon provocation. 这是不寻常的挑衅。
The bigger male sucks water into his body 更大的雄性会把水吸进身体
and stretches his arms even wider,to appear much bigger. 他的手臂伸展得更宽，显得更大。
If he can win this contest through visual display alone, 如果他能通过视觉展示赢得比赛，
he may avoid a potentially damaging fight. 他可以避免潜在的伤害性战斗。
The smaller rival backs away 较小的竞争对手退后
but he's not done yet. 但他还没说完。
The stand-off lasts several more minutes 对峙又持续了几分钟
before the rival eventually concedes defeat. 在对手最终承认失败之前。
The male has won the right to keep his mate. 这只雄性动物已经赢得了保留配偶的权利。
His dark head signals his victory. 他的黑头预示着他的胜利。
Despite the dazzling displays, 尽管有令人眼花缭乱的展示，
remarkably,cuttlefish and squid 值得注意的是，墨鱼和鱿鱼
are almost certainly color-blind. 几乎可以肯定是色盲。
Recent scientific research suggests 最近的科学研究表明
that light-sensitive proteins in their skin 皮肤中的感光蛋白
may help them sense their multi-colored world, 可以帮助他们感知他们的五彩缤纷的世界，
without actually seeing it. 却没有看到。
The high contrast of colors may be enough. 颜色的高对比度可能就足够了。
The female squid seeks a safe place 雌性乌贼寻找一个安全的地方
to finish laying her eggs. 完成产卵。
It will be tough getting past the sea urchins 越过海胆是很困难的
hiding in this crevice. 躲在这个裂缝里。
Many species of squid 多种鱿鱼
simply release their eggs into the water, 把它们的蛋放进水里，
as most fish do 就像大多数鱼一样
but,like cuttlefish, 但是，就像墨鱼一样，
these bigfin reef squid 这些大鳍鱿鱼
seek to protect theirs in coral crevices. 在珊瑚裂缝里保护他们。
Once their first batch of laying is complete, 一旦第一批铺设完成，
the pair simply vanishes into the blue. 两人就消失在蓝色之中。
Squid and cuttlefish can both live at depths 鱿鱼和墨鱼都能生活在深海
of more than 300 feet. 超过300英尺。
Down there,color is less important, 在那里，颜色不那么重要，
as only blue light penetrates these depths. 因为只有蓝光能穿透这些深处。
During the breeding season, 在繁殖季节，
they spend more time in the dazzling shallow reef waters 他们花更多的时间在令人眼花缭乱的浅水区
around the Damaniyat Islands. 在达曼尼亚特群岛附近。
But shallow waters bring shallow-water predators. 捕食者带来浅水。
Black-spotted butterflyfish are opportunists. 黑斑蝶鱼是机会主义者。
Cuttlefish eggs are a nutritious treat 乌贼蛋是一种有营养的食物
if they can reach them in the tight coral crevices. 如果它们能在珊瑚缝隙里找到它们。
The cuttlefish does nothing 墨鱼什么也不做
to protect her eggs from the long-snouted predator. 为了保护她的卵免受长鼻食肉动物的伤害。
The mouth on the end then sucks out a hidden egg. 最后的嘴吸出一个隐藏的鸡蛋。
A damselfish vacuums up the left-overs. 一个娘们用吸尘器把剩下的东西吸起来。
The female cuttlefish 雌性墨鱼
hasn't chosen the best of hiding places. 没有选择最好的藏身之地。
The gaps between the algae-coated branches 藻类覆盖的树枝之间的缝隙
expose the cluster of translucent white egg sacs, 露出一簇半透明的卵囊，
which need 14 days to develop and hatch. 它需要14天的发育和孵化。
The persistent butterflyfish goes back for more, 持续不断的蝴蝶鱼会回来寻找更多，
but another quickly snatches the egg 但另一只很快就把鸡蛋抢走了
resulting in an underwater tug-of-war. 导致一场水下拉锯战。
All the cuttlefish can do is lay again. 墨鱼能做的就是重新躺下。
There are at least 16 species of butterflyfish 蝴蝶鱼至少有16种
in Arabian waters. 在阿拉伯水域。
Black spotteds are the most common in the Gulf of Oman 黑点鱼在阿曼湾最常见
but they are outshone by their dazzling relative 但是他们被他们耀眼的亲戚相形见绌
the Arabian butterflyfish. 阿拉伯蝶鱼。
They mate for life. 它们终生交配。
Despite their bright color, 尽管颜色鲜艳，
these conspicuous fish are also masters of illusion. 这些引人注目的鱼也是幻觉的主人。
Their dark tails are mirrored 它们黑色的尾巴是镜像的
with dark,vertical eye bands. 深色的垂直眼带。
Predators look for eyes to target their attacks. 捕食者寻找眼睛瞄准他们的攻击。
Striking the head 击中头部
is a more effective kill than biting a tail. 比咬尾巴更有效。
If a predator can't see the eyes, 如果捕食者看不见眼睛，
it's hard to know what to aim for, 很难知道目标是什么，
and it may attack the wrong end 它可能会攻击错误的一端
giving the butterflyfish a chance to escape. 给了蝴蝶一个逃跑的机会。
Fish are the primary prey of the cuttlefish. 鱼是墨鱼的主要猎物。
Here,one prowls the reef in search of a meal. 在这里，一个人在礁石上徘徊寻找食物。
This ambush predator 这个伏击捕食者
becomes almost invisible in its preferred hunting ground, 在它喜欢的猎场几乎看不见，
the sea floor. 海底。
A cuttlefish fires out two long tentacles, 一只乌贼伸出两条长长的触须，
lined with suckers,from beneath its arms, 在它的手臂下面布满了吸盘，
to catch prey. 捕捉猎物。
A shoal of fusiliers provides plenty of opportunity. 一批引信提供了大量的机会。
The fusiliers' best defense is safety in numbers. 狙击手最好的防御是人数上的安全。
Some fish form schools, 一些鱼群，
meaning they swim in the same direction, 意思是它们游向同一个方向，
maintain an equal distance between them and move as one. 它们之间保持相等的距离，并作为一个整体移动。
But other species form shoals 但其他物种形成浅滩
a looser group, 一个松散的团体，
where the fish do not co-ordinate their movements. 鱼不能协调它们的运动。
Fusiliers do both. 引信两者兼而有之。
When hunting,they will school, 打猎时，他们会上学，
but,more commonly, 但是，更常见的是，
they shoal in large numbers,for safety. 为了安全起见，它们成群结队。
Their twists and turns make it hard for the cuttlefish 它们的曲折使墨鱼难以生存
to focus on an individual. 专注于一个人。
But this master of disguise bides its time. 但这个伪装大师等待时机。
It appears to assess its strike range 它似乎评估了它的攻击范围
adjusts its position 调整其位置
color and texture. 颜色和质地。
Success. 成功。
Its tentacles have suckered a fusilier. 它的触角吸住了一个引信。
Its arms hold the fish in position 它的手臂把鱼固定在适当的位置
and slowly direct it into its mouth. 慢慢地把它放进嘴里。
The cuttlefish devours its prey, 墨鱼吞食猎物，
using a hard beak buried at the base of its arms 用一个坚硬的喙埋在它的手臂底部
and a flesh-scraping tongue. 还有一条刮肉的舌头。
It's rare to witness a cuttlefish take its prey. 很少看到墨鱼捕食。
These magicians more commonly hunt in these shallows 这些魔术师通常在这些浅滩打猎
under the cover of darkness. 在黑暗的掩护下。
Octopuses will also grab fish swimming above them. 章鱼也会抓到在上面游动的鱼。
A dark,almost invisible head 一个黑暗的，几乎看不见的头
protrudes just above the coral hideout. 就在珊瑚藏身处的上方。
A spinecheek hovers unwittingly above him. 一个骨瘦如柴的家伙不知不觉地在他上方盘旋。
The octopus remains perfectly still, 章鱼一动不动，
as a large grouper points to the lurking predator. 当一只大石斑鱼指向潜伏的捕食者时。
But it's too big to be at risk. 但它太大了，不能有风险。
Smaller chromis dart overhead, 较小的chromis飞镖头顶，
oblivious to the potential danger beneath them. 忽视了潜在的危险。
Now you see him,now you don't. 现在你看见他了，现在你看不见了。
The octopus is back in his den, 章鱼回来了，
with only an eye visible. 只看到一只眼睛。
One chromis brushes its tail against the octopus, 一只变色龙用尾巴摩擦章鱼，
as it attempts to court a female nearby. 当它试图向附近的一只雌性求爱时。
This kind of mistake could prove fatal 这种错误可能是致命的
but octopuses usually prefer slower-moving prey, 但章鱼通常更喜欢移动较慢的猎物，
like crustaceans 像甲壳类动物
or even a great seahorse. 甚至是一匹伟大的海马。
Like the octopus, 就像章鱼一样，
the seahorse is an ambush predator. 海马是一种伏击捕食者。
It can capture a staggering 90% of its targeted prey, 它可以捕获90%的目标猎物，
when sea conditions are calm. 当海况平静时。
Its long snout and wide mouth 它的长鼻子和大嘴巴
enable it to suck up tiny crustaceans. 使它能吸收微小的甲壳类动物。
This is a female. 这是一只雌性。
Once her eggs are with the male, 一旦她的卵子和雄鸟在一起，
she plays no further role in raising their young. 她在抚养他们的孩子方面没有起到更多的作用。
She's not feeding, 她没有进食，
but she opens and closes her mouth, 但她张嘴闭嘴，
to pump oxygenated water in 充氧泵
and push carbon dioxide out, 排出二氧化碳，
through gills behind her eyes. 穿过她眼睛后面的鳃。
Her best trick is the ability 她最好的诀窍是能力
to move each orbital eye independently, 独立地移动每个眼眶，
giving her the power of almost 360-degree vision. 让她拥有360度的视野。
Her bony exoskeleton has protruding appendages, 她骨瘦如柴的外骨骼有突出的附属物，
known as cirri, 被称为cirri，
which add to her coral-like camouflage. 加上她珊瑚色的伪装。
A fine coating of algae completes the look, 一层很好的海藻涂层完成了整个外观，
giving the seahorse a protective cloak 给海马一件保护性的斗篷
of near-invisibility 几乎看不见的
against a passing predatory moray eel. 对付一条掠食的海鳗。
A female hawksbill turtle is also out hunting. 一只雌性玳瑁龟也在外面打猎。
She appears to know exactly what she's looking for. 她似乎很清楚自己在找什么。
Sea turtles have good eyesight underwater, 海龟在水下视力很好，
but they also have an acute sense of smell, 但它们也有敏锐的嗅觉，
for detecting prey. 用来探测猎物。
Hawksbills most commonly eat sponges in these waters, 玳瑁在这些水域最常吃海绵，
but,at this time of year, 但是，每年这个时候，
there's a different protein treasure to find. 还有一种不同的蛋白质宝藏。
She arrives at a large clump of coral 她来到一大片珊瑚礁前
and immediately works her magic. 并立即发挥她的魔力。
Her sharp,hawk-like beak is exceptionally strong. 她锋利的鹰嘴异常强壮。
Presto! Cuttlefish eggs. 急板地！乌贼蛋。
The eggs are in small clusters, 卵是小团的，
making them easily removable. 使其易于拆卸。
Wrasse and damselfish are ready to grab any left-overs. 濑鱼和狗娘养的随时准备抢剩下的东西。
She uses her flippers to gain purchase, 她用脚蹼来获得购买，
as she tears the eggs from the coral. 当她把珊瑚上的蛋撕下来的时候。
These eggs are more developed 这些卵比较发达
than the butterflyfish's earlier snack. 比蝴蝶鱼早先的零食。
The turtle can no longer reach 乌龟再也够不着了
the rest of the treasure. 剩下的宝藏。
The eggs were a good meal for both the turtle 鸡蛋对乌龟来说都是一顿好饭
and the hungry fish 还有饥饿的鱼
but enough remain intact under the coral to hatch. 但是在珊瑚下面仍然有足够的完整性来孵化。
As summer begins to tighten its grip on the Gulf, 当夏季开始加强对海湾的控制时，
temperatures above and below water are rising. 水上和水下的温度都在上升。
It's now June. 现在是六月。
The cuttlefish breeding season is well underway 墨鱼繁殖季节正在进行中
and competition is getting fierce. 竞争越来越激烈。
Time is running out. 时间不多了。
Across the reef,pheromones, 穿过礁石，费洛蒙，
released from the cuttlefish eggs 从乌贼蛋里释放出来的
and drifting on the sea currents, 随波逐流，
entice others to start 引诱别人开始
their once-in-a-lifetime chance to breed. 它们一生难得的繁殖机会。
Couples pair up and establish bonds 夫妻结对并建立关系
for their own brief encounters. 为了他们自己的短暂相遇。
The waters are teeming with protective males, 水里到处都是雄性保护动物，
with bold blue stripes 带有大胆的蓝色条纹
each closely guarding a female 每只都紧紧地守护着一只雌性
who could ensure his genetic legacy. 谁能确保他的遗传遗产。
In amongst the melee of large characters, 在大人物的混战中，
smaller males try to get in on the action. 体型较小的雄性试图参与行动。
These so-called "sneaker males" 这些所谓的“男运动鞋”
have a few tricks of their own to play. 有一些他们自己的把戏。
Sneaker males tone down their color, 男运动鞋会降低颜色，
to create the illusion of being female, 为了制造女性的幻觉，
to get past the bolder,protective males. 为了躲过那些胆大，保护自己的雄性。
Having already successfully seen off his rivals, 已经成功地击败了对手，
the male cuttlefish and his mate 雄性墨鱼和它的配偶
now have trouble of a different kind. 现在有了另一种麻烦。
It seems the egg-laying pair 似乎是产卵的一对
has strayed into the territory 已经误入领土
of a damselfish 一个娘们
and he's not about to tolerate their presence 他不会容忍他们的存在
on his patch. 在他的地盘上。
Damselfish are notorious for taking on intruders, 女私家女以对付入侵者而臭名昭著，
no matter how big or how many there are. 不管有多大或多大。
His best line of defense is attack. 他最好的防线是进攻。
The cuttlefish may struggle to magic himself 墨鱼可能很难变魔术
out of this tricky situation 摆脱这种棘手的局面
and now there's double trouble. 现在有双重麻烦。
A sneaker male loiters nearby. 一个男运动鞋在附近闲逛。
If the sneaker male can take advantage 如果男运动鞋能占上风
of the damselfish distraction, 她妈的分心，
he might be able to inseminate the female 他也许能使雌性受精
right under the tentacles of the big male. 就在大公鱼的触角下。
The big male can't shake the damselfish. 大个子男人不能动摇女人的自私。
The sneaker makes his move. 这双运动鞋让他动起来了。
Now the male is alert to the danger. 现在雄性对危险很警觉。
The sneaker male wasn't sneaky enough. 那个男运动鞋不够鬼祟。
By keeping others at bay, 把其他人拒之门外，
the bigger male ensures his partner lays her last eggs, 大一点的雄性确保它的伴侣下最后一个蛋，
carrying only his genes. 只携带他的基因。
Across the reef,males and females mate and lay eggs 在礁石的另一边，雄性和雌性交配产卵
in the dying days of the short, 在最后的日子里，
but intense breeding season. 但繁殖季节很紧张。
A cuttlebone is all that remains 剩下的就只有刀鱼了
of one adult cuttlefish. 一只成年墨鱼。
Evidence of what will become of this year's mated couples. 有证据表明今年的夫妻会怎样。
Females each lay approximately 1,600 eggs 雌性每只产卵约1600枚
during a spawning season. 在产卵季节。
Some will fall prey to predators 有些会成为捕食者的猎物
but enough will survive,to ensure the next generation 但足够多的人能活下来，以确保下一代
of these extraordinary magicians of the reef. 这些非凡的珊瑚礁魔术师。