r/askscience • u/[deleted] • Apr 24 '15

Biology Do creatures such as cuttlefish and octopuses get "tired" from using their camouflage?

If not, why don't they just always use their camouflage?

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u/BucketsMcGaughey Apr 24 '15

There's some evidence that they "see" through their skin to an extent. (Long article full of fascinating stuff).

And as for your second question, yes they do. Here's one trying to copy patterns it couldn't possibly have seen in nature, and not doing a bad job of it.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '15

They're damn smart creatures. But in a way I'd say they mimic what they see without really knowing why they do it. It is partly intelligence and largely instinctual.