Day Octopus Changes Color Three Times in a Little Over 30 Seconds at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

A beautiful day octopus at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in central California, demonstrates its phenomenal ability to change color three times in a little over 30 seconds. This talent allows the clever cephalopod to easily camouflage into whatever the surroundings there may be.

Pound for pound, it’s about the strongest octopus we’ve ever exhibited. They like to huff and puff and blow water. Combine this strength with the animals’ natural cleverness, and you have a real Houdini on your hands. As a result, we’ve built a strong, five-foot cowling around the display. …While most octopuses hunt at night, the day octopus (Octopus cyanea) spends its days stalking crabs, clams and fishes. Because it forages during daylight, it has exceptional camouflage skills. In addition to changing color, it can transform its skin into long, lumpy ridges, mimicking nearby corals, rocks or algae.

Thanks Robert Brownstein!