Meet the mimic octopus that can imitate a stingray, sea snake and even a lion-fish.
Called the octopus 'with thousand faces', this octopus is one of the most successful imitator in the animal world. Like many of its kind, it can easily change its colour and texture. In addition, it can alter the shape of its body and behaviour in order to be less conspicuous or to scare away potential attackers.
When in danger, it tucks six out of eight tentacles into the crevice of a rock, making waves with the other two to look like a sea snake.
To imitate a stingray, it flattens its entire body and holds its tentacles back and becomes brighter. It releases water through its funnel slowly and moves above the seabed like a stingray.
The octopus can imitate 15 different sea creatures including the lion-fish, sea anemones, crustaceans, solitary crabs, sea shells, flounders, jellyfish, flatfish, brittle stars and more.
The species was discovered in Indonesia during the 90's of the last century.
Pics 1 to 16 show the mimic octopus while the rest of the gallery are of other bizarre sea creatures.
This article is contributed by the STOMP Team.
