By opening or closing tiny sacs in its skin, an octopus can change color. This Capricorn night octopus looks blue. It can also look red with white polka dots.


color changes


tightened muscles


relaxed muscles


Color Change Octopuses can disguise themselves with color. T ey have pigments, or colors, in tiny sacs beneath their skin. When an octopus relaxes the muscles around the sacs, it produces colors.


Some octopuses can change their shape to look like other animals.


Octopuses also use these cells for


disguise. Some cells refl ect light. T e skin looks white in white light, for example. Other cells are like soap bubbles. T ey show diff erent colors.


mantis shrimp octopus


sole


8 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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