Octopus Camouflage: The Hidden Strain of Color Change
Octopuses are renowned for their exceptional camouflage abilities, but new research reveals that this skill comes with a significant metabolic cost. Biologists Sofie Sonner and Kirt Onthank found that the energy required for an octopus to change color using its chromatophore system is nearly as high as its entire resting metabolic rate. This high energy demand may explain why octopuses often hide in dens or adopt nocturnal habits to conserve energy. The study highlights the energetic expense of active camouflage in the animal kingdom.