Octopuses can change their colors to hide from predators or sneak up on prey. It's like having a superpower that lets them look like anything, a rock, a fish, even the ocean floor. They do it using tiny color cells in their skin called chromatophores, which are like little paint cans they can open and close whenever they want.
Examples
- A baby octopus turns blue to match the coral it's hiding behind.
- An octopus changes from white to black to startle a fish nearby.
- A female octopus flashes bright colors to attract a male.
Ask a question
See also
- Why Do Some Animals Change Color?
- Why Do Octopuses Have Such Crazy Faces?
- Why do chameleons change color and how does the process work?
- How Do Animals Change Color?
- Sea Creatures vs Mirror: Do They Recognize Themselves (or Attack)?