Mimic octopus

Thaumoctopus mimicus

The mimic octopus lives on soft tropical seafloors and can imitate the shapes and movements of other animals. Its unusual disguises may help discourage predators.

Not a fish · an aquatic neighbor

Water

Saltwater + Brackish

Muddy or sandy bottoms near estuaries, river mouths, and shallow coastal waters.

Temperature

Range not established

A dependable species-specific wild temperature range was not found.

Size

Up to about 60 cm (24 in) including the arms

About as long as a baseball bat

Lifespan

Not established in the wild.

Life expectancy varies with place, conditions, and what scientists have been able to observe.

01 · Signature adaptation

What does it do?

It usually moves across open sediment between burrows. It can change color, posture, and swimming style, switching between different animal-like displays as circumstances change.

Its superpowerIt can actively impersonate animals such as sea snakes, lionfish, and flatfish.

02 · Home coordinates

Where does it live?

Tropical Indo-West Pacific waters, with documented records from Indonesia and nearby Southeast Asian waters.

Regions: Indo-West Pacific · Indonesia · Malaysia · Philippines

03 · The menu

What does it eat?

It searches the sediment and uses its arms and beak to seize small animals.

Carnivore: small fish, crabs, shrimp, other crustaceans.

04 · Remember this

Two wow facts

Many disguises

It is known to imitate several different animals rather than relying on only one defensive resemblance.

Sources [1] [2]

First filmed in Sulawesi

The species was discovered in 1998 on a muddy bottom near an Indonesian river mouth.

Sources [1] [2]