The answer to the headline is that it depends on the moment and the background. I surprised this day octopus when I came around a corner and it instantly changed color. Then it moved and changed color again. I edged away and it moved and changed color again. It changed about five times over the course of a few minutes and each change was like hitting a light switch – one moment this, next moment that.
Their default color is a gray-brown, but I didn’t see that on this occasion. The red of the center photo is a reaction to being surprised and the two mottled patterns are camouflage attempts.
Posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Perspective.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 
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So incredible. I like you the photos have captured how it settles with its tentacles so demurely folded.
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They tend to do that, I think to pass themselves off as a bump on a rock. I’ll probably post some other octopus photos next week where the octopus has a different plan in mind.
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they are such amazing creatures. And so intelligent too
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Yes, There’s a definite recognition in encounters with them.
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Fascinating.
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Quite amazing
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They’re magical creatures, aren’t they? 🙂
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The really are. I’ll probably post some other octopus photos next week from a different encounter.
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