Octopus: The Master of Camouflage
Along with the chameleon, the octopus is the most notorious animal for mastering camouflage techniques. The octopus can change not only its color, but also its texture and shape in order to blend in with the environment. It uses camouflage to hide from its attackers as well as to surprise its prey.
The cells responsible for camouflaging are known as chromatophores. They contain pigments and can reflect the light. But the chromatophores of octopuses are neuromuscular organs rather than cells. Each chromatophore is linked to the corresponding nerve in the brain. The neural control of chromatophores is the reason why octopuses can camouflage in such great speed.
A Big Blue Octopus?
This amazing footage was recorded in Zanzibar in 2016. This octopus was spotted at a depth of around 15 to 20 meters and probably belongs to the Octopus Cyanea species, otherwise known as the big blue octopus or day octopus. This species lives on coral reefs and shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific region. According to researchers, it can change its appearance as many as 1000 times in seven hours! This particular octopus was seen near Mnemba Island in Tanzania.
Notice how it changes the color and texture of its body in an instant! It skillfully imitates the green of the algae, the white and grey shades of the seafloor, the orange-pinkish color of the coral. When a black little fish approaches, the octopus also paints a part of his body with black stripes.
”Hey there little fella, cool outfit!”, the octopus seems to say. ”I want one too!” and ta-da! Just like magic, it has one too!
The slow motion reveals just how fast this octopus alters its appearance entirely: watch how within tens of seconds it changes from white to white with blue spots, then completely blue turning to purple and finally totally red.
