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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Behold the Mimic Octopus


Many cephalopods such as octopuses and squid have amazing control over their skin color and texture, both to hide them from would-be predators AND to give them a leg up (8 legs up?) on their prey.


Apart from the bright blue eye spot, this octopus is very successfully camouflaged.



Oh, and to put it to rest: don't worry about the plural of octopus. Strictly speaking it's 'octopodes' because the -pus ending is Greek (as opposed to Latin). Nobody uses that though, so octopi or octopuses is just as good.

6 comments:

  1. That thing is pretty amazing. I'm also not sure what the hell it was trying to mimic at the end...a turkey squirrel person dog?

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  2. Very Cool. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  3. Octopus can mimic an awesome meal by jumping into my grill with some paprika and french fries! :)

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  4. Mmmm Octopus.
    Nice!! One of my profs reminded me yesterday of the existance of Amphioctopus marginatus (coconut octopus or veined octopus). The ones that look like they are walking with a coconut husk on their back.
    Mmmm Coconut Octopus.

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  5. Had no idea they existed :O.

    I can see it now, fusing DNA with man...

    >:D

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