This isn’t new, SuperForest, but I was sent this video today and it blew my mind:
From PBS Nature, they explain:
When it comes to changing color, octopuses are the ultimate chameleons. In the blink of an eye, they can blend into the background – or advertise their presence with bursts of bright color. Some even put on light shows with glow-in-the-dark tentacles!
The secret behind their color capability is special skin cells called chromatophores. Each chromatophore consists of three bags of pigment. By squeezing or expanding the bags, octopuses can change the color displayed by each cell, allowing millions of subtle combinations. And since each cell is controlled separately, they can create remarkably sharp displays. In addition, reflective coatings under the cells help enhance the effect.
(also: interesting to note that in the age-old conundrum as to the plural of “octopus” PBS goes with “octopuses” – in agreement with Fowler’s Modern English Usage which states that “the only acceptable plural in English is octopuses,” and that octopi is misconceived and octopodes pedantic. So…now I know! yay!)
And since we’re here with ”amazing wonders of the deep” – this guy is cramazing also:
This world: so undeniably full of awe[someness].
Thanks to SuperForester Pierangelo for the links.
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