Diving off the coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia, I have encountered an octopus that looks like a sea snake. Since its discovery in 1998 researchers have learned much more about this unusual animal that tries to look like other more dangerous species.
The mimic octopus is about 60
cm from arm tip to arm tip and can copy the color and shape of some of S.E.
Asia’s deadly marine life. Researchers have found that the Mimic can copy at
least 15 different animals including sea snakes, lionfish, flatfish,
brittle stars, crabs, sea shells, stingrays, flounders, jellyfish, sea anemones,
and mantis shrimp
Octopuses are very intelligent animals and most can make
themselves resemble their surroundings. The Mimic octopus is the only species
known that seems to understand what the best defense is for its circumstances.
A great example of these clever defenses occurs when a
Mimic is being bothered by demoiselle fish. The Mimic will bury six of its arms
into the mud and color the other two in sea snake bands. Sea snakes are
predators of demoiselle fish and the deadly disguise frightens them away.
Not all of the disguises are defensive. Being a mimic can
also be a help when you are hungry. By changing its appearance to look like a crab
the Mimic is able to get close enough to real crabs to catch and kill them
before being discovered.
