Some octopus species are able to camouflage themselves to blend
in with their background by changing their skin color or
texture. But the mimic octopus can actually make itself appear
to be other kinds of animals such as a sea snake, a lion fish,
or a sole fish. There are other species that can mimic an animal
that is dangerous or poisonous, but the mimic octopus is the
only known species that can change its shape to a variety of
species depending upon which predator is approaching. The mimic
octopus had not been identified as a species until 2001 when
divers found specimens off of Sulawesi and Bali in Indonesia. It
had never been noticed before largely because its barren, muddy
habitat is not often explored by divers. The features of its
habitat may explain why it has developed its particular defense
mechanism: there are few rocks or coral formations for it to
hide in or to blend in with. Little is currently known about the
mimic octopus; the species has not yet been given a scientific
name. As scientists ex