Mimic octopus (Octopus sp.) on a sandy seabed. This octopus inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It takes its name from its habit of mimicking other animals. By changing its body shape and colouration,it can take on the form of a flatfish,sea snake,shrimp,jellyfish,crab,lionfish and several others. As well as the form,it also adopts its chosen model's movements,for instance swimming using undulations when mimicking a flatfish and moving sinuously while imitating a sea snake. It is thought such disguises confuse predators and prey alike. Photographed in Mabul,Malaysia |