Indonesia mimic octopus imitates toxic flatfish for defense

How about this for an impersonation… Watch video of the Indonesian Mimic Octopus impersonating a toxic flatfish – sometimes the best form of defense really is to attack!

The Indonesian mimic octopus has the extraordinary ability to pass itself off as many of the toxic fishes or sea snakes that share its habitat.

Instead of blending into the background, the animal impersonator often uses a daredevil strategy of making itself more conspicuous to predators. Scientists believe the behaviour evolved to scare other animals.

By flattening its head and arms, using a bold brown and white colour display and adopting an undulating swimming technique T. mimicus can fool predators that it is, in fact, a poisonous flatfish rather than a tasty meal.

From the BBC. Watch full video HERE.