How Do Octopuses Match Their Coloring When They Can Only See in Black and White?

Ever wondered how octopuses change their color to match the surrounding environment, especially considering their seemingly black and white vision? This fascinating question delves into the mysteries of their unique visual and adaptive abilities.

The Color-Changing Abilities of Octopuses and Squids

Octopuses and squids are masters of camouflage, utilizing a sophisticated system of color-changing skin cells to blend into their surroundings seamlessly. These creatures possess chromatophores, specialized skin cells that allow them to alter their appearance with ease. While squids use color changes for communication, it's less clear for octopuses. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that octopuses can express emotional states through color changes, though this remains speculative.

Octopuses and squids not only change the color of their skin but also modify its texture with 3D papillae structures. By filling these structures with liquid, the skin can either become smooth or bumpy, allowing for dynamic camouflage. Combined with color changes, these physical adjustments enhance their ability to perfect their disguise in various environments.

Two Schools of Thought on Octopus Color Vision

The exact mechanisms of octopus color vision are still a subject of debate among scientists. One theory suggests that octopuses have a limited palette of colors specific to their habitats. They have evolved to match the colors present in their environment, meaning an environment rich in browns would likely result in browner octopuses. This theory suggests a high level of specialization to their surroundings.

Another, more recent theory posits that octopuses' unique eye structure allows them to perceive color through a phenomenon called chromatic aberration. Their irregularly shaped pupils cause different colors to appear at slightly different levels of sharpness on their retinas. This indirect color perception suggests that octopuses might have a form of color vision, even if it's not how humans or most animals perceive it.

Understanding Color Perception in Octopuses

Color perception is a complex and intriguing topic. While it's challenging to explain in simple terms, let's consider an analogy. If three people look at a color and agree it's red, that doesn't mean they're "seeing" red in the same way. Each person's brain can interpret the same visual stimulus differently. This variance in perception can also occur in color blindness, where individuals misinterpret colors based on their brain's interpretation.

Furthermore, octopuses may not only perceive but also "feel" the environment around them. Unlike watching a black and white TV, where the brain fills in the gaps, in reality, different colors can influence heat readings and travel at varying wavelengths and vibrational frequencies. This sensory amalgamation might help octopuses match their coloring more accurately to their surroundings, even if they can't see color as we do.

Attributed to Michel:

It's a strange point that has always had me wondering. Let's say I look at a color and say it's red. A second and third person might all agree it's red, but if I could use my brain to look at it, one might find that one is seeing what I call blue, and the other is calling green red. Just because we all call something the same color doesn't mean we're seeing the same color. And that applies to color blindness, that is just a word used for convenience to match what we believe is right. Whether or not an octopus is color blind, I don't know, maybe we’re all stuck in our own little world of color. People who only had black and white TVs never watched a film thinking it was in black and white, the brain fills it in, and you forget. Unlike watching a film in black and white, in reality, colors give off different shades, different heat values, and different wave lengths and vibrations. No doubt, it can feel and match the vibrations.

While the exact mechanism of octopus color vision remains a mystery, these unique creatures continue to fascinate scientists and observers alike. The more we learn about the octopus, the more we realize how much we still have to understand about these incredible beings.