The ability to camouflage is one of nature’s cool little tricks that has been bestowed on select species. Generally this adaption is restricted to blending in with the animals immediate surroundings. While this is helpful, what is one to do if hiding in plain sight fails to fool the predator? There is one known aquatic species that has further developed its camouflage abilities to actually take on the appearance and behavior of multiple other predators.
The Thaumoctopus mimicus, or mimic octopus, is able to choose from an array of other sea creatures for protection. What’s interesting, other than the mere fact that it is able to change its appearance at all, is that most of the creatures it chooses to mimic are poisonous. This leads scientists to deduce that this evolution is indeed for survival purposes.
Watch this shapeshifting octopus in action.
For more fun with octopi, check these zombie tenticles.