Mimic octopus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
- Scientific name
- Thaumoctopus mimicus
- Group
- Cephalopods
- Rarity
- Epic
- Where to see it
- Indo-Pacific & Red Sea
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Least concern
Did you know?
The mimic octopus can imitate the shape and behavior of over a dozen other sea creatures, such as lionfish or sea snakes, changing its posture and color to fool would-be predators.
What defines this group — Cephalopods
Octopuses, cuttlefish, squid and nautiluses: molluscs that became the most intelligent invertebrates.
- Eight arms — ten in cuttlefish and squid — set around a horny beak.
- Skin cells called chromatophores change colour and texture in a fraction of a second.
- Three hearts, and blue blood that carries oxygen with copper rather than iron.