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Nature & Environment

Octopus dupes predators by impersonating fish

By T.K. Randall
August 29, 2010 · Comment icon 2 comments

Image Credit: Bernd
The Indonesian mimic octopus has the unusual ability to pass itself off as a variety of other sea creatures.
By fooling predators in to believing it to be a poisonous flatfish or sea snake it can swim around in the open without being attacked and eaten however the strategy doesn't come without its fair share of risk.
The Indonesia mimic octopus doing an impersonation of a toxic flatfish. The Indonesian mimic octopus has the extraordinary ability to pass itself off as many of the toxic fishes or sea snakes that share its habitat. A new study of its DNA suggests why these abilities evolved.


Source: BBC News | Comments (2)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by farandaway 14 years ago
I recently watched a show called 'Undersea Aliens' on the Science Channel and became fascinated by these clever creatures. They not only can change colors to hide from predators, but can bend themselves into different shapes to mask themselves as well. They have cognitive abilities and are self aware. I now have a new found respect for these animals and realize they're not just another 'pretty face'.
Comment icon #2 Posted by ShadowSot 14 years ago
I now have a new found respect for these animals and realize they're not just another 'pretty face' Definetly not just another pretty face. Seems I remember hearing or reading this somewhere before... can't find it though.


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