# Todays "Holy Shit, Nature is Stranger than Fiction" Entry **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 14, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725 "2011-08-14T22:33:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/21 "2011-08-15T17:30:16Z")
You know what they say: If you don’t like the octopusses in South East Asia, just wait 10 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/22 "2011-08-15T18:23:04Z")
It’s well known that at least three of the past seven US presidents have actually been mimic octopodes. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/23 "2011-08-15T18:55:47Z")
If anyone else is having trouble getting to the OP’s link, here’s the Google cache of the site: [http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:i6d7wGeruJIJ:www.thatvideosite.com/video/mimic\_octopus+http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/mimic\_octopus&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:i6d7wGeruJIJ:www.thatvideosite.com/video/mimic_octopus+http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/mimic_octopus&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com) ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/24 "2011-08-15T23:53:40Z")
IANAIchtyologist, but at 1:17 in the linked-to video, it looks to me like the mimic octopus is imitating something similar to a stone fish. Not a stone fish per se, but a similar species. Since the octopus can’t actually swim with its sham fins, the “walking” is a way to propel itself that imitates the motion of a swimming fish. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/25 "2011-08-16T00:00:13Z")
That’s damn cool, but the intro to the video is kind of stupid in a “duh” sort of way. “Unknown until it was spotted…” Well…_yeah_, obviously it’s going to be unknown until it’s spotted. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/26 "2011-08-16T04:08:11Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I can’t see that link, so don’t know if it’s the same one. But there was a youtube where, among other scenes, a mimic was romancing a lady, while simultaneously fighting off a rival. He presented comforting friendly colors and shape on one side of his body, while the other was presenting fighting stance and angry colors to the rival. As the three moved through the water, the sides had to switch and even rotate several times, and he never once got the wrong set-up. It was breathtaking. If you ever find it, post the link. A brief review of youtube videos has not revealed this, and I’d love to see it. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/27 "2011-08-16T04:12:06Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Pulp Fiction just took a weird left turn in my head: > > “Check out the big brain on Brad!” > > “That’s not Brad, that’s a mimic octopus!” > > “Shit, where’s that muhfuker Brad? Marvin, why didn’t you tell us there was a muhfuckin mimic octopus in here?” _blam blam blam_ This made me laugh myself into a coughing fit. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/28 "2011-08-16T04:28:18Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > [Relevant xkcd comic](http://xkcd.com/928/) This thread made that comic make sense. And I also want to read that Orson Scott Card book. > [@G0sp3l](#): > > That’s no moon\ IT’S A TRAP! ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/29 "2011-08-16T04:59:45Z")
That be some freaky shit! Thanks for the link. > [@Jenaroph](#): > > Pulp Fiction just took a weird left turn in my head: > > “Check out the big brain on Brad!” > > “That’s not Brad, that’s a mimic octopus!” > > “Shit, where’s that muhfuker Brad? Marvin, why didn’t you tell us there was a muhfuckin mimic octopus in here?” _blam blam blam_ Bravo, well done. \ . ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/30 "2011-08-16T05:04:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > IT’S A TRAP! An interesting bit of trivia: In _Return of the Jedi_ the role of Admiral Akbar was actually played by a mimic octopus. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/31 "2011-08-16T05:22:10Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > I am _so_ glad you’re back, Eve. But how do we know it’s really her? Maybe we’re all being taken in by a particularly clever octopus who has internet access. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/32 "2011-08-16T05:24:06Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > An interesting bit of trivia: In _Return of the Jedi_ the role of Admiral Akbar was actually played by a mimic octopus. They also played the Death Star, Darth Vader, and half of the Storm Troopers (but not Jar Jar Binks, because mimic octopuses have standards). ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/33 "2011-08-16T06:06:47Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > IANAIchtyologist, but at 1:17 in the linked-to video, it looks to me like the mimic octopus is imitating something similar to a stone fish. Not a stone fish per se, but a similar species. Since the octopus can’t actually swim with its sham fins, the “walking” is a way to propel itself that imitates the motion of a swimming fish. I personally think it was mimicking a [frogfish](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcN4nfcletU). ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/34 "2011-08-16T13:21:05Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I personally think it was mimicking a [frogfish](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcN4nfcletU). Excellent find, that _has_ to be it. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/35 "2011-08-16T13:36:53Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I personally think it was mimicking a [frogfish](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcN4nfcletU). Good call, I think that has to be it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/36 "2011-08-16T13:39:27Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > That is so cool! I jest love cephlopods! People think it’s weird that my favorite animals are cuttlefish and octopuses. Same here. I embrace all molluscs from squid to snail. ( **G0sp3l** , I’m also partial to Chthulhu, which is why **Sr. Olives** says I will be the downfall of civilization.) More of [The Amazing Cephlopods](http://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/watch/10397), courtesy NPR’s Science Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/37 "2011-08-16T18:25:38Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Excellent find, that _has_ to be it. Is the little brown shape following the larger yellow frogfish another frogfish, or is it maybe a mimic octopus? It looks a lot like the image of the mimic octopus in the first video. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/38 "2011-08-16T18:34:35Z")
> [@](#): > > But how do we know it’s really her? Maybe we’re all being taken in by a particularly clever octopus who has internet access. _Curses!_ They’re \*on \*to me! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/39 "2011-08-16T22:31:08Z")
Here’s another example, from NPR’s Science Friday website. It shows an octopus not only changing color, but making its skin bumpy to match its surroundings. Cephalopods are color-blind, making it a real head-scratcher. In the opening sequence, it’s impossible to find the octopus until the camera gets close enough to make it go white in a startle response, instantly. There’s more views of the chromatophores in a squid’s skin, suddenly increasing in size to 15 times their smallest size. [http://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/watch/10397](http://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/watch/10397) ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725/40 "2011-08-16T23:04:34Z")
Sniff. I love cephalopods! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-holy-shit-nature-is-stranger-than-fiction-entry/592725.md?page=3)