Mimic Octopus
Body: These octopi are about two feet when full grown. Their arms are a lot larger than their heads. They are called the mimic octopus because they are able to use their bodies to mimic behaviors of other sea creatures in order to confuse predators.
Coloring: Their normal coloring ranges from shade of white and brown. They have many stripes and spots to help them blend into their environment. Like other octopi they can change colors to match their environment if they need too. Habitat: These octopi are mostly found in South East Asia. They were recently found in 1998 so not much is known about their locations. They do however like warm muddy waters. Behavior: When mimic animals they will mimic their movements but also they will mimic the shape and coloring. These octopi will often watch and memorize what predator eats what creature. They often choose creatures to mimic whose predators are less likely to feed on them. These octopi are the only species that will tunnel under sand in order to hide from predators. Diet: They mostly eat worms, crabs, and certain species of fish. They do take part in cannibalism. Experts don't understand why they eat each other especially because they will eat one another even when food sources are present. They believe that they eat each other to assert their dominance and maintain control of a specific territory. Their mimicking other animals also has a double role in helping them catch their prey. They can mimic other animals so that their prey will feel safe. Then when their prey is close they will close in and attack it. Mating: The male will mate with the female by placing a sack of sperm into her mantle. He will die within a few months. The female holds on to the sperm for a couple of months then she fertilizes the eggs and places them underneath her arms. By the time her eggs hatch she will die. |
Mimicking a mantis shrimp
Burrowing in sand
mimicking a flounder
mimicking a jelly fish
mimicking a sea snake
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