mimic octopus

I saw a fantastic creature called a mimic octopus. It not only mimics colors, it also mimics shape and movement.


The Indo-Malayan Mimic Octopus, octopus species 4.


The mimic octopus


Sitting up in his burrow


Mimicking a sea-snake


Mimicking a starfish


Mimicking a lionfish (looks drifty when swimming)


Mimicking a flounder (and undulating like one)


Mimicking seaweed

There was even a part on the tv show where it made its legs all angular and walked sideways like a crab. The theory is that, because its habitat is so bland, camouflage is insufficient. It has learned to mimic predators. It's startling how smart this octopus is.

Here is a post by Paul Myers, biology professor at University of Minnesota, with two movies of the wondrous octopus in action. You'll need Quicktime to play these.


Here is his incredible Octopus-Swimming-Like-A-Flounder movie. (Click on "Here," not on the picture.)


Here is his Octopus-As-SeaSnake movie. Watch till the end to see the startled fish.