Meet the Mimic Octopus: The real-life ‘ichadhari’ creature of the ocean

In the depths of the sea lies a master of disguise — meet nature’s ultimate shape-shifter, the Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) — a creature capable of transforming itself into a wide variety of sea animals, some harmless, others highly dangerous.

First discovered off the coast of Indonesia, the Mimic Octopus has the ability to mimic not just the colors of the sea floor but also the shapes, behaviors, and even the movements of other marine creatures. It can pretend to be a lionfish, with its poisonous spines standing tall, or take on the appearance of a flatfish, lying flat on the ocean floor to avoid detection. Perhaps most astonishing of all, it can mimic the sea snake, an infamous predator of the ocean, to scare off potential threats.

The Mimic Octopus has evolved this skill over thousands of years as a defense mechanism. By imitating dangerous creatures, it confuses predators, making them think it is too risky to attack. But its talents aren’t just about avoiding death—they also help it catch prey. By imitating the movements of other species, such as the toxic Lionfish, it can lure unsuspecting creatures into a false sense of security before launching its own attack.

One particularly captivating display happens when the octopus mimics a flatfish. It flattens its body, blending into the sand with remarkable precision. Its soft body turns to an almost perfect shape that looks indistinguishable from the seabed. It stays perfectly still, as though it has become part of the ocean floor itself.