The Octopus That Pretends to Be Other Animals
In the murky waters of Indonesia, an octopus disguises itself as a poisonous lionfish, then a sea snake, then a flatfish, changing shape in seconds.
What was reported
The mimic octopus lives on sandy sea floors in South-East Asia, especially around Indonesia. It was first scientifically described in 1998 after divers filmed it in Sulawesi.
Instead of hiding, it impersonates dangerous animals. It can flatten itself and glide like a flatfish, spread its arms like the venomous spines of a lionfish, or hide six arms in a hole and wave two striped ones like a deadly sea snake. It seems to choose which animal to copy depending on what's threatening it.
Explanations offered
The mimic octopus is one of the few animals known to imitate several different species. Scientists think its striking brown-and-white colour pattern and flexible body let it pretend to be animals that predators avoid.
- When
- Described in 1998
- Where
- Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Witnesses
- Divers and scientists
- Status
- Confirmed
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