This octopus hails from Conrad Gessner’s Historia animalium (1551-1558). This engraving is a remarkably good likeness—except for the depiction of round, rather than slit-shaped, pupils—indicating the artist clearly did not draw from a live specimen.
We’re celebrating with the talented mimic octopus.
Discovered in 1998, the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is a 2-foot long species that can parrot not just one but several toxic sea creatures. It’s the first animal of any kind known to shift between multiple imitations, a talent called dynamic mimicry.
Depending on which predator is around, this cephalopod adjusts its posture by folding, splaying, or hiding its arms to copy the shape, texture, and motions of the banded sole, lionfish, or banded sea snake—three toxic animals that all share its light and dark coloring and striped patterns.
Folding its arms behind its head, the mimic octopus moves its body in the manner of a swimming banded sole, a poisonous flatfish. To impersonate a venomous marine sea snake, the octopus pulls six of its arms out of sight, then stretches the remaining two in opposite directions.
Scientists have also observed behaviors suggesting these cephalopods have an even bigger repertoire, and may be able to mimic anemones and jellyfish as well.
The world’s oceans abound with a truly astonishing diversity of life forms. Beginning some 400 years ago, European voyages of discovery began mapping the globe, and knowledge of ocean life flourished as never before. These explorers documented their discoveries in illustrated books—by sketching their own specimens or collaborating with artists and engravers—resulting in images that communicate the anatomy, life cycles, habits—and sheer beauty—of newfound marine species.
Discovered in 1998, the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is a 2-foot long species that can parrot not just one but several toxic sea creatures. It’s the first animal of any kind known to shift between multiple imitations, a talent called dynamic mimicry.
All good things must come to an end, and #CephalopodWeek is no exception. But take heart! Before we close out this celebration of some of the world’s most astonishing invertebrates, we’re highlighting some of great content that this event inspired.
Our colleagues at @sciencefriday explored both the biology and psychology of octopuses (not octopi!) in this video:
Meanwhile, the @montereybayaquarium Research Institute (MBARI) assembled a remarkable highlight reel of cephalopods from around the world:
This mammal has a wide range that spans northern Canada to parts of South America, and even Hawaii. In fact, it’s the most widespread bat in the Americas, and a subspecies (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is thought to be Hawaii’s only living native land mammal! Large moths make up the majority of its diet, along with beetles and grasshoppers.
