Octopuses change color to camouflage and protect themselves from predators, but also to communicate and express emotions, using special cells in their skin called chromatophores and iridophores.
Octopuses master the art of camouflage thanks to special cells in their skin called chromatophores. These small cells contain sacs of colored pigments that they quickly stretch or contract with their muscles to match the color of their environment in the blink of an eye. In addition, they also precisely manage their texture with other cells like cutaneous papillae, capable of creating bumps or reliefs resembling rocks, algae, or corals. As a result, they become nearly invisible to the eyes of their prey or predators. A total ninja-like discretion underwater, ideal for catching a shrimp by surprise or avoiding being bitten by a somewhat overly hungry moray eel.
When an octopus changes color, it's not just to go unnoticed. Often, it also expresses its emotions or communicates with other individuals. For example, if it is angry, stressed, or upset, it may display very bright colors, with irregular and contrasting patterns to clearly show its displeasure. In contrast, a calm, relaxed, or content octopus generally adopts softer or neutral tones and peaceful patterns. When it tries to impress a mate or intimidate a rival, it uses true "light shows," with rapid and dynamic color changes. In these amazing animals, every shade, every pattern, becomes a genuine visual language.
When an octopus senses an approaching threat, its immediate reflex is to drastically change color. And it's not just for show: it can quickly turn dark or pale, in order to bluff or intimidate the intruder. This sudden and intense transformation disrupts the predator, which hesitates for a few precious seconds. If that isn't enough, the octopus can display highly contrasting striped patterns, like black and white bands, solely to destabilize the enemy. And while the opponent wonders what it is dealing with, the octopus calmly makes its escape, protected by a cloud of ink, the ultimate joker in its defense strategy.
Octopuses adjust their color to manage changes in ambient light, thus ensuring better visibility or discretion depending on the time of day or the depth they are in. As they swim in waters of varying depths, light changes: they quickly modify the pigmentation of their skin to blend naturally into the sometimes darker, sometimes brighter shades of the marine environment. Essentially, depending on where they are and the time of day, they set their colors like one would adjust the brightness of a screen to see better or avoid being noticed.
Octopuses are colorblind, unable to perceive colors directly. However, they manage to perfectly imitate the color of their environment, which remains a true scientific mystery.
Besides changing color, some octopuses are capable of altering the texture of their skin, shifting from smooth to rough in a fraction of a second to enhance their camouflage.
The mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) can not only change its color but also imitate the appearance and behavior of other marine animals such as sea snakes or venomous rays to escape from predators.
Some researchers are studying the functioning of octopus chromatophores in order to develop innovative technologies, particularly smart materials capable of changing color according to their environment.
No, even though camouflage against predators is a primary reason, octopuses also use color change to express emotions, communicate with their peers, attract mates during breeding seasons, and mark their territory.
The color change in octopuses is made possible by specialized cells called chromatophores. These cells contain pigment sacs that stretch or contract due to muscle contractions triggered by the nervous system, thus altering the visible color on the surface of the animal's skin.
Most octopus species can change color very quickly, sometimes in just a fraction of a second, but the speed and complexity of the change can vary depending on the species, their age, size, and environment.
In addition to color changes, octopuses can alter the texture of their skin using structures called dermal papillae. These structures can inflate or flatten to visually mimic the texture of their surroundings, such as rocks or corals, further optimizing their camouflage.
Yes, octopuses can consciously control their color change according to their emotions, their environment, and to communicate with other octopuses. However, some changes can also be automatic, such as in the case of a threat.
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