When it comes to fascinating creatures, octopuses are definitely up there on the list.
Yes, I choose to use "octopuses", but technically "octopi", and even "octopodes" are fine. I just prefer to avoid as much Latin prescriptivism as I can.
Anyhoodles, octopuses are awesome.
For example, we've known for a while that they can change color to match their surroundings, both for protection and to sneak up on unsuspecting meals.
In the clip from PBS's new documentary Octopus: Making Contact, the sleeping creature rapidly shifts colors and textures while resting upside down in its tank.
They've been studying the camouflage for a long time and have noted when certain colors or patterns are most likely to appear.
"So here she’s asleep, she sees a crab and her color starts to change a little bit. Then she turns all dark. Octopuses will do that when they leave the bottom. This is a camouflage, like she’s just subdued a crab and now she’s going to sit there and eat it and she doesn’t want anyone to notice her. …This really is fascinating. But yeah, if she’s dreaming that’s the dream."
Whatever she's imagining, it's really amazing to watch all the different colors!
