I just wish that ONE day would pass when I am not confronted by knowledge of how messed up the world of the octopus is. Not only can these evil bastards slide their boneless masses through holes no bigger than a quarter; not only can they grasp tools, but now it appears that at least one species of cephalopod can MIMIC the behaviors and shapes of many other sea creatures. Beautiful. Does the octopus do this trick to entertain? To inform? NO!!! OF COURSE NOT..HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO ANYTHING I HAVE BEEN SAYING ALL THESE MONTHS????!!!!! They mimic the movements and colors of others so that they can get over on them. There is no way you will ever convince me that this skill is instinctual. There are some serious higher order brains at work here. I should be impressed after watching this clip but I am terrified beyond the ability for rational thought. If I went around doing what this thing does I would be clubbed to death and left in a ravine. Its NOT right or normal or safe. I hate the oceans. What's next, I ask you? God Damn!
"The mimic octopus, Thaumoctopus mimicus, is a species of octopus that has a strong ability to mimic other creatures. Its normal colouring consists of brown and white stripes or spots. Living in the tropical seas of South East Asia, it was not discovered officially until 1998, off the coast of Sulawesi.
The octopus mimics the physical likeness and movements of more than fifteen different species, including sea snakes, lionfish, flatfish, brittle stars, giant crabs, sea shells, stingrays, flounders, jellyfish, sea anemones, and mantis shrimp. It accomplishes this by contorting its body and arms, and changing colour."
http://presurfer.blogspot.com/2009/08/mimic-octopus.html
