Octopus
Octopuses are undeniably remarkable creatures with an array of superpowers. They are highly intelligent and cunning, capable of incredible feats such as squeezing through tiny spaces and making daring escapes into the wild, all without the support of a backbone. Let’s dive into one of their most astonishing abilities: the art of changing color. Witnessing an octopus change color is a mesmerizing spectacle. Cephalopods, which include octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish, belong to an exclusive group of animals that possess the incredible ability to alter their color based on their activities or surroundings. This exclusive club also includes seahorses, certain amphibians, and lizards, with chameleons being a notable member.
So, how do octopuses perform this chromatic magic? It all comes down to specialized skin cells called chromatophores. These cells feature a stretchy sac known as the cytoelastic sacculus, which contains pigments in colors like red, yellow, brown, and black. When the surrounding muscles contract, they widen the sacculus, making more pigment visible on the octopus’s skin. Conversely, when the muscles relax, the sacculus shrinks, causing less pigment to show. This dynamic process allows octopuses to create an incredible range of colors and patterns, enabling them to blend seamlessly into their environment or communicate with other octopuses.