Day Octopus
Color of Life, Color Conceals, Cryptic Coloration
Able to change coloration, and texture of their skin, to
resemble their environment (adaptive or active
camouflage).
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda (octopuses, squid, cuttlefish; and Nautiloidea)
Order: Octopoda
Family: Octopodidae (octopus species)
Genus/species: Octopus cyanea
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark oval false eye-spots with no iridescent rings are commonly present at the base of their arms and dark brown coloring on the tips of their arms along with 2 rows of lighter spots. The dark eye-spots are only sometimes visible and depends upon the patterns being displayed by individual octopuses. Can change color quickly for protection camouflaging itself to match its surroundings.
Bodies up to at least 16 cm (6 inches) and arms to at least 80 cm (30 inches).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical reefs from Hawaii to East Africa. O. cyanea is found in excavated lairs in coral reefs and rubble which can be located by identifying remains of clams, crabs at the entrance.
DIET IN THE WILD: Feeds during daylight hours requiring exceptional camouflage. Consumes crabs, clams and fishes.
REPRODUCTION: Males have a long modified third right arm that they hold in an upright coiled position and wave toward the female. When the female is receptive to the signaling male, he inserts his arm into the female's oviducts to pass her spermatophores keeping his distance to avoid being eaten by the female.
PREDATORS: Seals and large fish.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List; not assessed 2015
References
California Academy of Sciences Color of Life Exhibit 2017
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1xs
Encyclopedia of Life www.eol.org/pages/593207/details
Marinebio marinebio.org/species.asp?id=553
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/19111242362/in/album-72...
6-8-17
Day Octopus
Color of Life, Color Conceals, Cryptic Coloration
Able to change coloration, and texture of their skin, to
resemble their environment (adaptive or active
camouflage).
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda (octopuses, squid, cuttlefish; and Nautiloidea)
Order: Octopoda
Family: Octopodidae (octopus species)
Genus/species: Octopus cyanea
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark oval false eye-spots with no iridescent rings are commonly present at the base of their arms and dark brown coloring on the tips of their arms along with 2 rows of lighter spots. The dark eye-spots are only sometimes visible and depends upon the patterns being displayed by individual octopuses. Can change color quickly for protection camouflaging itself to match its surroundings.
Bodies up to at least 16 cm (6 inches) and arms to at least 80 cm (30 inches).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical reefs from Hawaii to East Africa. O. cyanea is found in excavated lairs in coral reefs and rubble which can be located by identifying remains of clams, crabs at the entrance.
DIET IN THE WILD: Feeds during daylight hours requiring exceptional camouflage. Consumes crabs, clams and fishes.
REPRODUCTION: Males have a long modified third right arm that they hold in an upright coiled position and wave toward the female. When the female is receptive to the signaling male, he inserts his arm into the female's oviducts to pass her spermatophores keeping his distance to avoid being eaten by the female.
PREDATORS: Seals and large fish.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List; not assessed 2015
References
California Academy of Sciences Color of Life Exhibit 2017
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1xs
Encyclopedia of Life www.eol.org/pages/593207/details
Marinebio marinebio.org/species.asp?id=553
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/19111242362/in/album-72...
6-8-17