The common octopus is an incredible and intelligent animal.

The common octopus is an incredible and intelligent animal.

Their 8 alien-like arms have millions of nerves, allowing each of the hundreds of suckers covering them to be controlled independently.

The octopus is also a shape-shifting master of disguise, able to change it’s appearance in the blink of an eye. A system of colour-changing chromatophores and tiny muscles in it’s skin allows it to adapt it’s body colour to match it’s environment, from sandy white, to red, to mottled reef/rock browns.

Sadly these wonderfully unique animals only live for 1-2years in the wild. Although they are not considered endangered, they are directly targeted by fisheries and are further threatened by habitat destruction, marine pollution and reduction in their prey due to fishing.

📸: @tersiagreenstone