Angry octopuses turn darker colors before they fight
- 8 years ago
SYDNEY — Researchers from the University of Sydney have discovered how octopuses use a complex system of signals to communicate with each other.
Their study consisted of watching nearly 53 hours of footage of octopuses interacting near Jervis Bay in New South Wales.
In the first study of a system of communication between fighting octopuses, the biologists found that aggressive octopuses turn darker colors, while octopuses would turn a lighter color if they are trying to avoid confrontation, or if they just lost a fight.
Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith, who co-authored the report, told the BBC that an aggressive "octopus will turn very dark, stand in a way that accentuates its size and it will often seek to stand on a higher spot."
Darker octopuses will stand their ground when facing off with a lighter-colored octopus. Aggressive octopuses will sometimes assume the "Nosferatu pose," named after the 1920s vampire film, because of their resemblance to a dark cape.
Octopuses have cells called chromatophores below the surface of their skin that allow them to change color. They can also change the texture of their skin to help camoflauge themselves.
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Their study consisted of watching nearly 53 hours of footage of octopuses interacting near Jervis Bay in New South Wales.
In the first study of a system of communication between fighting octopuses, the biologists found that aggressive octopuses turn darker colors, while octopuses would turn a lighter color if they are trying to avoid confrontation, or if they just lost a fight.
Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith, who co-authored the report, told the BBC that an aggressive "octopus will turn very dark, stand in a way that accentuates its size and it will often seek to stand on a higher spot."
Darker octopuses will stand their ground when facing off with a lighter-colored octopus. Aggressive octopuses will sometimes assume the "Nosferatu pose," named after the 1920s vampire film, because of their resemblance to a dark cape.
Octopuses have cells called chromatophores below the surface of their skin that allow them to change color. They can also change the texture of their skin to help camoflauge themselves.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
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Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
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Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus