Page 50 - It Can't Be True! Animals! - Unbelievable Facts About Amazing Animals (DK)
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Which octopus is a
master of disguise?
A shape-shifter lurks in tropical waters off the
Indonesian coast. This is the mimic octopus,
which imitates other sea creatures to fool
predators or to get close enough
to prey for a swift grab.
The mimic
octopus copies
the flounder’s
behaviour by
The mimic octopus pulls hiding on
its long tentacles close
together to form a realistic the seabed.
flounder’s “tail”.
WARNING COLOURS
When not imitating other
animals, the mimic octopus
has a bold stripy pattern.
These colours might be
enough to startle would-be Taking on a fish
attackers, giving the octopus shape and changing
time to beat a hasty retreat. its own markings to
a mottled pattern, the
mimic octopus becomes
the flounder’s twin.
050-051_310219_Octopus_disguise.indd 50 09/10/2019 15:12
