Cryptic octopus

A Common Octopus resting on the sea bed.

Arguably one of the most cryptic or camouflaged animals in the ocean are octopus. Capable of altering their dermal colour in a fraction of a second, they can almost dissappear from visual detection the moment they land on a rock or reef. In addition, cephalopods are one of the few marine families that can see red wavelengths. When hunting prey, they instantly transform from cryptic camouflage to uniform red as they lunge, in effect conducting an invisible stealth ambush.

A Common Octopus blending in with the tones and hues of the seaweed in a tidal pool.