Unlike the other species, which remain camouflaged during flatfish swimming, the mimic octopus has also been reported to mimic visually conspicuous toxic animals through a high-contrast body pattern (dark brown and light cream) and postures or behaviors. This flatfish swimming mimicry has also been described for other sand-dwelling species including Indo-Pacific White V octopus/ “blandopus”, Hawaiian Long-armed Sand Octopus, and the Atlantic longarm mimic octopus (Macrotritopus defilippi). In combination with a drab color, this octopus mimics non-toxic flounders and soles that a predatory fish may pass-up because they are difficult to eat. When using jet propulsion to move faster, this species positions its arms to attain a flatfish shape and uses swimming behaviors similar to those of a flatfish (swimming durations, swimming speeds, and undulating body movements). An octopus would enter a tunnel completely and emerge from another hole up to 1 m (3 ft) from the entrance point! In addition to these typical speculative foraging behaviors, individuals have been observed to forage through subterranean tunnels. The mimic octopus, along with other long-armed species, uses its arm tips to probe down holes and flares its web to trap prey. It forages by crawling along the soft bottom in drab brown colors to match its surrounding muck environment. To confuse predators, this species has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Mimic octopus full#
This day-active octopus forages on sand substrates in full view of fish predators (like the golden trevally, Gnathodon speciosus) however, little is known about the specific predators of this octopus species. This species is best known for its mimicry of toxic animals that co-occur in the same habitat that include: banded soles, sea snakes, and lionfish. In addition, no animal group has previously been described that is able to switch back and forth between mimicry of different model organisms (not that kind of model!). Until 2001, no cephalopod was known to imitate (mimic) toxic or dangerous animals.
Mimic octopus skin#
The skin is relatively smooth with a rim of papillae around the mantle and paired sharply pointed, elongate papillae over each pronounced eye. Other key features of this species include: teardrop ring in mid to anterior dorsal mantle, white “U” on posterior dorsal mantle, arms with regular white bands against dark brown base color and arm white spots present in dark arm bands. The dorsal mantle typically has irregular longitudinal white markings against a brown background. The color patterns of this species are variable from a uniform pale or dark, to mottled, to dramatically banded or high contrast body pattern. These animals have specialized behaviors to thrive in this strange environment that is empty of corals and other structures.
No underwater structure, no problem! This species belongs to a clade (group) of long-armed octopuses that have adapted to a life living in an open sand seascape.
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