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How do octopuses change their colour?
Octopuses change colour and pattern in seconds using special colour cells in their skin.
Under an octopus's skin are tiny colour bags. These bags are called chromatophores. The octopus's brain sends orders to these bags using little muscles. When the muscles stretch the bags wider, the colour shows more. When the muscles relax, the colour shrinks and hides.
An octopus's skin has different chromatophores for colours like yellow, red, and brown. These come together to make different colours and patterns. There are also shiny cells under the skin that reflect light. These help make bright colours like blue and green.
Octopuses do this to hide and to scare away enemies. When it sits on a rock, it looks like the rock. On sand, it turns sand-coloured. This change happens very fast, almost in the blink of an eye.
Quick facts
- An octopus's skin has coloured bags called chromatophores.
- Muscles stretch and shrink the chromatophores to change colour.
- An octopus can change colour in seconds.
- It changes colour to hide and to scare enemies.
- Shiny cells under the skin help make blue and green colours.
Check what you remember
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1. What are the coloured bags in an octopus's skin called?
2. How fast can an octopus change colour?
3. Why does an octopus change colour?
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