This octopus is up to 60 cm (2 feet) in length, with brown and white stripes or spots covering its body. This octopus is able to copy the ... all » physical likeness and movement of different species like sea snakes, flounder, lionfish, and flatfish. It accomplishes this by contorting its body and tentacles and changing color.

More information here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimic_octopus
and here:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0920_octopusmimic.html

Too cool. Good work, evolution.

*nature channel! damnit!

this is SO CUTE!

Also- Can he do an elvis impression?

I represent the "Stop Labeling Everything 'Geek'" campaign. I just don't understand you people, are you stupid or something? retarded?

Yep... Chameleons should really stop being pushed as the kings of camouflage. they only change their colour. An octopus changes color, shape AND texture. THAT is some serious camouflage.

*nochannel

Video removed from all channels (nochannel called by gold star member djsunkid)

*cute *nature

Video added to cute and nature channels (both channels called by gold star member djsunkid)

*promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Sunday, December 10th, 2006 10:07pm PST - promote requested by BicycleRepairMan.

Found this more detailed description on Youtube:

Thaumoctopus mimicus. This fascinating creature was discovered in 1998 off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the mimic octopus is the first known species to take on the characteristics of multiple species. This octopus is able to copy the physical likeness and movement of more than fifteen different species, including sea snakes, lionfish, flatfish, brittle stars, giant crabs, sea shells, stingrays, jellyfish, sea anemones, and mantis shrimp. This animal is so intelligent that it is able to discern which dangerous sea creature to impersonate that will present the greatest threat to its current possible predator. For example, scientists observed that when the octopus was attacked by territorial damselfishes, it mimicked the banded sea snake, a known predator of damselfishes.

I'm not sure "cute" is the right term.. If I saw something like this in the same water I was in, I'd be scared shitless!

I'll be impressed when it imitates a row-boat. Give evolution a few years, it'll make it.

A much better version of the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8oQBYw6xxc

Without the annoying music and with english commentary.

*dead

This video has been declared non-functional; embed code must be fixed within 2 days or it will be sent to the dead pool - declared dead by Mordhaus.