This Male Octopus Disguises Itself As Female
One specific species of octopus, the Abdopus auleatus, has an intricate mating culture that involves a series of courtship rituals. Males live near their female mates to keep them safe. Other males, called the “sneaker males”, disguise themselves as females to slip past the guards keeping the females safe, so they can mate with them. They do this by changing coloration, which fools the guards. Males will also change their gender momentarily to avoid being cannibalized by other males. During their courtship, the male will constantly approach the female, who will fend him off. Eventually, she’ll accept his invitation and begin the mating ritual. Octopi has horrendous outcomes though because once the females lay eggs, she begins her self-destruction by ripping off her skin and eating her tentacles (Science Alert).