Mimic Octopus By Kaitlyn Nasatka & Logan Bananto

Habitat and Behavior Mimic octopuses have been know to live exclusively in nutrient-rich estuarine bay of Indonesia and Malaysia. Minims poisonous creatures as defense against predators. Unlike most octopus it regularly traverses tunnels and burrows in the sea floor.

Feeding Diet-small fish, crabs, worms, other octopus. Feeds by covering an area of sand under a disc of webs while using the tips of its fine arms to flush small animals into its suckers. It can probe its arms deep into burrows or holes to search for prey which it can then pass to its mouth.

Anatomy Grows 60 cm (2 feet) in length. Normally brown and white stripes and or spots. Able to greatly change its body shape to look like other marine life.

Pictures Mimicking a Sole Fish or Flounder  Mimic Octopus Mimicking a Sea Snake   Mimicking a lion Fish

Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia- Multicellular Organisms Phylum: Mollusca- Largest Marine Phylum Class: Cephalopoda-Characterized by bilateral body symmetry Order: Octopoda- “Eight-Footed” Family: Octopodidae- majority of know octopus species Genus: Thaumoctopus- Ability to mimic other creatures Scientific Name: Thaumoctopus Mimicus

Reproduction In mating, the male octopus inserts its hectocotylus, a specialised and extended arm, into the female's mantle cavity, where he deposits packets of sperm. Soon after mating the male octopus dies. Female carries and feeds with a string of eggs with her until they hatch. This is unusual because most octopus don’t eat when they are carrying eggs. After the eggs hatch, the female dies.

Relationship with Humans Octopuses were often depicted in the art of the Moche people of ancient Peru, who worshipped the sea and its animals. Ancient people of the were thought to have hunted this octopus for food. Ancient artwork can be found of the Mimic Octopus.

Summary The most important characteristic of the Mimic Octopus is its ability to mimic predators such as the Sole, Sea Snake, and the Lion Fish. This is useful because the octopus is completely camouflaged and safe from any danger. Also, its behavior and habitat are similar to other octopus species and are only different in the way they reproduce. Their reproduction and their ability to mimic other marine animals separates them from other octopus.

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