The Mimic Octopus Shape-Shifts

The mimic octopus lives in the Indo-Pacific region. It grows to about 60 cm, including arms.

Its arms are approximately the diameter of a pencil at their widest. Small horns protrude from each eye.

Scientists first discovered it off Sulawesi, Indonesia in 1998. Muddy river mouths rarely hold auditions.

It prefers shallow areas at depths of less than 15 m. Its natural color is light brown or beige.

A single individual showed nearly 500 instances of flatfish mimicry over 5 days. Flatfish apparently demand endless retakes.

It switches between up to 18 different marine animals. It changes shape and behavior, not just color.

It impersonates eighteen different marine animals.

The mimic octopus and the wunderpus actively imitate several animals to elude predators.