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Mimic octopus
Scientific name : Octopus sp. 4
Spectacular long armed octopus. Brown colour, with white stripes on the body and on tentacles, variable in shape and extension but always visible. In some cases a small peduncle, like a horn, is visible above each eye. Body 6 cm, tentacles 30 cm.
Encountered on sandy bottoms, in bay and lagoon. It hides under the sand, often using burrows from other animals. Active during the day.
Often wonderpus (Octopus sp. 5) is confused with the mimic octopus. They are identified by the white stripes (that in Octopus sp. 5 follow a more fixed pattern) and for the body surface (smoother in Octopus sp. 5).
This animal seems to have the capability to mimic poisonous or venomous animals like Pterois spp., Pardachirus spp. (poisonous soles), Laticauda spp. (sea snakes), taking their aspect and mimicking their movements. Certainly when disturbed it shows spectacular displays, that the observer could see as attempt to mimic something else. We think that sometimes this capability of the octopus has been a little exhagerated.
Habitat:
Coastal bay, Lagoon, Mud, Sand
Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific
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