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Octopuses are some of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. With their eight flexible arms, ability to change color and texture to camouflage, and their incredibly complex brains, octopuses continue to captivate marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts alike. But which octopus species has the coolest looking appearance and abilities? There are over 300 known octopus species, ranging greatly in size, habitat, diet and more. In this article, we will explore some of the most visually striking octopus species and what makes them so unique.
Mimic Octopus
One of the most incredible looking octopus species is the Mimic Octopus, found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters. True to its name, the Mimic Octopus has the extraordinary ability to imitate the appearance and movements of other marine animals. It can contort its flexible body into a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to impersonate species like sea snakes, lionfish, and eels. This helps the octopus blend into its surroundings and avoid predators.
The Mimic Octopus can grow up to 60cm long, with a brown and white banded body. Its ability to transform its appearance by changing color, texture, and posture is unparalleled in the octopus world. It can flatten its body and swim like a flatfish, curl its arms and move like a sea snake, or stick out leg-like tentacles and mimic a venomous lionfish or jellyfish. No other octopus species can mimic such a diverse range of animals. Researchers have observed 15 different animal mimics by the Mimic Octopus. Their incredible adaptability and dazzling ability to transform makes them one of the coolest and most intelligent octopuses on the planet.
Wunderpus Octopus
Native to the tropical waters of Indonesia and Malaysia, the Wunderpus Octopus garners attention for its vivid and high-contrast coloring. Its scientific name Wunderpus photogenicus even means “photogenic wonder octopus,” referencing its eye-catching appearance.
The Wunderpus has a white and rusty brown mottled mantle with elegant fins along the sides. Its arms are banded with brown, cream and white rings. But the most striking feature are the bright white spots and electric blue-ringed ocelli (eye-like spots) that adorn the Wunderpus’ body. These vivid blue and white markings stand out against its mottled skin, making this species a favorite among underwater photographers. The coloring helps provide camouflage while also distinguishing individual octopuses.
While the Wunderpus blends into its surroundings, it has a secret weapon to startle predators – it can flash its warning eye spots and quickly change its skin to a dark brown. This sudden color change momentarily confuses predators, allowing the Wunderpus to jet away to safety. Its unique and vibrant color patterning along with its color-changing abilities make the Wunderpus one of the most photogenic and coolest looking octopuses in the ocean.
Blanket Octopus
The Blanket Octopus truly lives up to its name – the female’s web-like mantle can reach up to 6 feet long, resembling an enormous living gown or cloak. The enormous membrane stretches between the dorsal tentacles and extends down the length of the female’s body, trailing like a cape. It ripples elegantly through the water as the Blanket Octopus swims. This eye-catching membrane is used to intimidate predators and attract mates.
The blanket-like mantle isn’t the only interesting feature. Blanket Octopuses have some of the most extreme sexual dimorphism in the animal kingdom. Females can grow up to 6 feet long – but males remain tiny, reaching just 2.4 inches long! They are the smallest known octopus species. They reproduce through traumatic insemination – the minute males detach their sperm packet and give it to the female to store until her eggs are mature.
Adding to its mystique, the Blanket Octopus has immune cells that contain a rare toxin 1000 times more deadly than cyanide. The venom is used to deter potential predators who take a nibble. With females decked out in an ornate living cloak and tiny dwarf males, the Blanket Octopus cuts a very bizarre and fascinating figure underwater.
Blue-Ringed Octopus
Don’t let the small size of the Blue-Ringed Octopus fool you – this species packs a powerful punch. Found in tide pools and coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this small octopus grows to only 5-8 inches long. But it contains tetrodotoxin, one of the deadliest toxins on Earth. Its blue rings are a warning to predators – a single bite can kill a human in minutes.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus spends most of its time hidden in crevices hunting small crabs and shrimp. When threatened, it flashes dozens of vibrant blue rings across its body to warn predators of its lethal venom. The rings are normally hidden, but when the muscles around the chromataphore (color-changing) sacs contract, the blue iridescence is revealed. Along with flashes of bright yellow, this color change advertises its extreme toxicity.
Despite its tiny size, the striking color change, mesmerizing blue rings, and incredibly lethal venom make the Blue-Ringed Octopus one of the most intriguing octopuses in the ocean. Just don’t get too close!
Vampire Squid
Though it has the name ‘squid’ in its name, the Vampire Squid is actually more closely related to octopuses. This unique creature inhabits deep, cold ocean waters up to 3000 feet (900 m). It earned the name “vampire” not because it sucks blood, but due to its dark red coloring, cloak-like webbing, and arms that resemble a vampire’s cape.
The Vampire Squid has a jet black body, large fins that look like ears, and six thin filaments that extend from its torpedo-shaped head. Most unusually, it has eight octopus-like arms lined with spiny hooks and connected by a thin membrane. When threatened, the Vampire Squid can wrap its webbed arms completely around its body like a cloak, hiding its eyes and surface. This gives it an even more vampire-like appearance.
The deep sea inhabitant has bioluminescent photophores (light-producing organs) scattered across its body. These produce an eerie bluish glow that makes the red and black Vampire Squid appear even more otherworldly. Its spooky name,Dracula-like appearance and glowing blue illumination easily make the Vampire Squid one of the coolest members of the octopus family.
Giant Pacific Octopus
The largest known octopus species in the world, the Giant Pacific Octopus has a huge size advantage over others. Average adults reach 16 feet across and weigh around 110 pounds – about the size of a small car! The largest on record measured 30 feet across and weighed more than 600 pounds.
The enormous cephalopods inhabit temperate coastal waters of the northern Pacific Ocean. They have reddish-brown mottled skin with white spots and textures that help provide near-perfect camouflage from predators and prey. The Giant Pacific Octopus is an active and intelligent forager that can swiftly capture fish, sharks and even birds with their powerful tentacles.
Their enormous size allows Giant Pacific Octopuses to take on prey that most species cannot. Using sharp beaks, suckers and focused jets of water, these giants can kill prey as large as sharks and seabirds. Their giant size earns them a spot as one of the coolest and most impressive octopus species in the ocean.
Dumbo Octopus
With its adorably rounded ears and stout body, the Dumbo Octopus certainly lives up to its cute nickname. The ‘dumbo’ appearance comes from the two ear-like fins protruding from the top of its head. These fins resemble the large ears of Disney’s Dumbo elephant. But unlike an elephant, the Dumbo Octopus doesn’t use its fins for flying – they help propel it through the deep ocean.
Dumbo Octopuses inhabit depths ranging from 3,000 – 13,000 feet. They earn their place on the list thanks to their flipper-like fins that flap as they ‘fly’ through the water column. Their body can inflate and deflate to help regulate buoyancy, allowing them to drift along deep ocean currents.
This quirky octopus has a stubby, rotund body that can grow up to 12 inches long. Its gelatinous appearance comes from adaptations that help withstand intense deep-sea pressure. Dumbo Octopuses also display an array of pretty blue, purple, pink, and reddish bioluminescent lights along their suckers and body. Their endearing name, cute appearance and glowing colors make this deep sea dweller a charming addition to the octopus line-up.
Atlantic Pygmy Octopus
As its name reveals, the Atlantic Pygmy Octopus is one of the smallest known octopus species. Adults reach just 1-2 inches in length – roughly the size of a golf ball. They inhabit shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds of the western Atlantic Ocean. Their tiny size allows them to hide in the tiniest cracks and crevices hunting small shrimp, crabs, snails and worms.
This teeny octopus has a bulbous mantle covered in chromatophores – special pigment cells that allow the octopus to change colors quickly. Smooth skin with mottled browns, whites, grays and greens helps provide camouflage against the seafloor. Dark ocellus-like spots and striped suckers add beautiful contrast.
When threatened, the Atlantic Pygmy can rapidly change color and textures, disguising itself as algae, coral or anything in its surroundings. It can even mimic the dark spots and stripes of venomous lionfish to deter predators. Though tiny in size, this species makes up for it with mesmerizing color-changing capabilities. The diminutive Atlantic Pygmy is proof that some of the coolest octopuses come in small packages.
Day Octopus
With vibrant colors, striking patterns and a dazzling display of textures, the Day Octopus knows how to make an impression. This flashy species inhabits tropical coral reefs during the day, allowing it to showcase its vibrant palette.
Like a underwater rainbow, Day Octopuses display an incredible array of colors. Combinations of vivid blues, purples, yellows, oranges, greens, silver, pink and more decorate their skin. High-contrast stripes, spots, and reticulations blanket the Day Octopus’s soft body for maximum impact. They can also rapidly change their appearance to blend in with surroundings.
Day Octopuses grow to around 20 inches long. While they may look garish to our eyes, their kaleidoscopic colors play an important role in signaling, camouflage and communication underwater. Vibrant patterns hide them among the bright colors of the reef. But when threatened, a Day Octopus can shift from psychedelic to demure in seconds, disappearing in a cloud of ink. For an octopus that makes a big visual statement, the Day Octopus is a true stand-out.
Atlantic Longarm Octopus
With its extremely long, spindly arms, the Atlantic Longarm Octopus has a very unique look. Native to the western Atlantic Ocean, this species keeps to sandy shallows and seagrass beds ranging from the southern US to Brazil. It has an oval mantel that reaches around 4 inches long. But its namesake long arms can extend up to 20 inches, over six times the length of its body.
These exceptionally lengthy, thin arms help the Atlantic Longarm search across wide swaths of seabed while the rest of its body stays hidden. The brown-striped arms also confuse predators by offering multiple targets. Since they regenerate, the octopus can lose an arm to attack, allowing it to escape unharmed.
Researchers believe the disproportionately long arms help this octopus catch prey and explore its sandy habitat. When not in use, the arms coil elegantly around the octopus head. Silhouetted upright in the water or stretched out across the seafloor, the extremely lengthy arms give the Atlantic Longarm Octopus a graceful and exaggerated look.
Pharaoh Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish may resemble squid and octopus cousins, but they belong to their own unique order – and the Pharaoh Cuttlefish has one of the most royal appearances in the sea. This cuttlefish inhabits shallow reefs and seagrass beds of the Indo-Pacific region. With a mantle up to 11 inches long, it has a large surface area for stunning color displays.
Like its cephalopod cousins, the Pharaoh Cuttlefish can dynamically change color for camouflage and communication. Its patterns range from broad stripes to intricate spots and psychedelic waves. But what sets the species apart are the undulating colors and textures it produces on its flat body and fins. These hypnotic displays serve as warning signals to predators or as a way to mesmerize potential mates.
The Pharaoh Cuttlefish’s name comes from its most regal pattern – a moving mosaic that resembles the golden burial mask of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Shimmering golds, browns and white ripple across the cuttlefish’s skin. Combined with pulsating skin textures, the effect is both mesmerizing and royal, befitting this dazzling color-changer.
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Though they lack an internal shell, cuttlefish are closely related to octopuses and squid. And the Flamboyant Cuttlefish ranks as one of the flashiest cousins in the sea. As their name suggests, these cuttlefish are all about putting on a colorful show. They inhabit shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds in a limited area of the Indo-Malayan archipelago.
Growing to around 3-5 inches long, Flamboyant Cuttlefish have stout bodies with eight short arms and two tentacles. While they can camouflage themselves, most of the time they opt for wild, kaleidoscopic color displays. Electric blues, vibrant purples, shocking pinks, yellows and more shimmer and ripple across their skin. Zebra stripes and trippy spots add extra visual texture. When threatened, they flash bolder warning colors and raise two ‘sails’ above their head for maximum effect.
The hyper-colorful patterns help the Flamboyant Cuttlefish communicate and warn off predators. Their dazzling colors and flamboyant nature never fail to impress divers lucky enough to spot these psychedelic cephalopods. For putting on an electric, shape-shifting color show, the Flamboyant Cuttlefish takes the crown as the coolest cuttlefish in the sea.
Comparison of Octopus Species
| Species | Max Size | Habitat | Fun Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimic Octopus | 60 cm | Indo-Pacific | Can mimic over 15 marine animals |
| Wunderpus | 30 cm | Indonesia & Malaysia | Vivid blue rings and spots |
| Blanket Octopus | 2 m (female) | Tropical Oceans | Females have sheet-like mantle |
| Blue-Ringed Octopus | 8 cm | Pacific & Indian Oceans | Highly venomous |
| Vampire Squid | 30 cm | Deep Ocean | Cloak-like webbing |
| Giant Pacific Octopus | 9 m | N. Pacific | Largest octopus species |
| Dumbo Octopus | 38 cm | Deep Ocean | Ear-like fins |
| Atlantic Pygmy Octopus | 5 cm | Western Atlantic | Golf ball sized |
| Day Octopus | 50 cm | Coral reefs | Vibrant, colorful displays |
| Atlantic Longarm Octopus | 20 cm arms | Western Atlantic | Extremely long arms |
| Pharaoh Cuttlefish | 28 cm | Indo-Pacific | Produces “pharaoh” display |
| Flamboyant Cuttlefish | 13 cm | Indo-Malayan | Vivid, psychedelic colors |
Conclusion
With over 300 species globally, octopuses showcase a huge diversity of shape, size, coloration and abilities. From the tiny but deadly Blue-Ringed Octopus, to the enormous Giant Pacific Octopus, to the brilliantly-colored Day Octopus, octopus species run the gamut in appearance and adaptations. Other octopus cousins like the Vampire Squid, cuttlefish and mimic octopus offer their own bizarre and captivating qualities. With incredible camouflage, flashing colors, venom, giant size and uncanny mimicry, these amazing cephalopods display some of the coolest looks and features in the ocean. Their endless capacity to surprise makes octopuses and their relatives eternally fascinating.
