[A] Octopuses are famous for their round bodies, big eyes, and eight arms. There are many different types of octopuses, but all are alike in one way: They are masters of disguise. Octopuses can change their appearance in less than a second to look like rocks, plants, or even other animals. How do they do this?

[B] An octopus can disguise itself in three ways. One is by using color. An octopus’s skin has special cells called chromatophores. These cells are filled with yellow, brown, and red pigment. When an octopus moves its muscles a certain way, the cells become large and produce colorful spots and other patterns on its skin. Chromatophores can also reflect light. In blue light, for example, an octopus’s skin will look blue. In white light, its skin will look white. With these cells, an octopus can produce many different skin colors and patterns.

[C] An octopus can also change its skin texture. When the octopus moves its muscles, its skin can go from smooth to spiky. It might then look like a plant, or coral. Another way an octopus disguises itself is by changing its shape. Some, for example, roll their bodies into balls so they look like rocks. One type of octopus can change its form to look like other sea creatures—especially dangerous ones, such as sea snakes.

[D] Why are octopuses so good at disguising themselves? They have to be. The ocean is not a safe place for them. Because they have no bones in their bodies, octopuses are like large pieces of meat. Many predators want to eat them—and they can eat them whole. To survive, octopuses have developed the amazing ability to change their appearance very quickly in order to hide from predators.

1. A master is very good at doing something.

2. A cell is the smallest living part of an animal or plant. Most animals have billions of cells in their bodies.

3. Pigment is a substance that gives something color. For example, green pigment makes most plants look green.

4. Texture is how something looks and feels (e.g., soft, smooth, spiky).