Mysteries of Science Curious lives of octopuses
Dec 5, 2025
Join marine ecologist Erin Spencer, author of The Incredible Octopus, as she unpacks the captivating biology and camouflage of these elusive creatures. Philosopher Heather Browning explores the depths of octopus sentience and cognition, probing their unique intelligence. Meanwhile, broadcast naturalist Chris Packham shares thrilling personal encounters with octopuses, touching on their intriguing behavior, including a fascinating take on octopus dreaming. Dive into the mysteries of these extraordinary animals and what we still have to learn about them!
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How Octopuses Change Color And Texture
- Octopuses use chromatophores—muscle-controlled color sacs—to change color instantly.
- They also change skin texture to match surroundings and enhance camouflage.
Give Blue-Ringed Octopuses Wide Berth
- Avoid touching or handling marine animals, especially blue-ringed octopuses.
- Give a wide berth to blue-ringed octopuses: their bite can be lethal despite their tiny size.
Curiosity Signals Cognitive Complexity
- Octopuses display curiosity and actively explore novel objects and environments.
- This exploratory drive suggests cognitive complexity similar to other curious animals.
