Re: NANFA-- camoflauge

Katrina kruse (underseavisions_at_attglobal.net)
Mon, 20 Dec 1999 15:07:06 -0800

They just respond (or at least I think so). Supposedly white means fright and red
means anger, but I don't think so - maybe white... When I find one in the open its
response varies from individual to individual even if my approach is the same. It
may vary be degrees. The octopus may just get more golden, or it may flash quickly
changing colors. Some octopi want to get away, and others are curious. Some see me
approach and don't even move, even if it is in the open. One octopus let me try to
remove a parasitic worm out of its siphon -- it broke off! Gross! Every time it
would push water out its siphon this white worm would to the flagpole thing. After
photographing the worm (really cool photo) I tried to pull it out -yuk! When it
comes to texture, I have photos of octopi whose skin is raised into stick like
looking bumps, some that are rainbow smooth in pinks and reds. They do things we
can't do (and we think WE are the top of the line - I don't think so). What a
"normal" color is for an octopus varies and often doesn't appear to be a
camouflage thing. You have GOT to learn to dive so you can witness this stuff!
katrina

Jay DeLong wrote:

> Katrina, do you mean octopi change color from fear or as a threat or
> something like that? And what do you mean by changing skin texture?
>
> I'll try to find those octopi photos in Audubon. Really fascinating!
>
> --
> Jay DeLong
> Olympia, WA
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-nanfa_at_aquaria.net On Behalf
> > Of Katrina kruse
> > Sent: Sunday, December 19, 1999 10:08 PM
> > To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
> > Subject: Re: [Re: NANFA-- Plants]{D.WEED}
> >
> >
> > I haven't seen the show yet, but there are quite a few animals (fish and
> > invertebrates) that "mimic" their host -- but they don't go from
> > species to
> > species as hosts. In Papua New Guinea I photographed small
> > clingfish that mimiced
> > sea fans and crinoids in both color and shape. Transparent shrimp that are
> > commensal with anemones mimic colors and sometimes textures. Flounder have
> > chromataphores that allow them to change skin color for supposed
> > camoflauge
> > purposes, and the Octopus dofleini (Giant Pacific Octopus)
> > changes its skin
> > texture and color at will -- I completely am convinced it is an
> > emotional response
> > and not all a "blend in" effort. Isn't the world interesting? katrina
> >
>
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