Animal Facts:
Like other octopuses, the mimic octopus has three hearts that pump blood through its body. This blood is not the usual iron-based red tone of many species but blue, thanks to a copper-rich protein that helps the octopus’ body transport oxygen more efficiently.
On the downside, this causes the octopus to be very sensitive to any changes in water acidity: If the water’s pH dips too low, not enough oxygen can circulate. This in turn means that climate change might have dire effects on the octopus population.
Two of the mimic octopus’ hearts pump blood only through the gills, while the third pumps blood through all other organs. This third heart actually stops beating when the octopus swims. They thus prefer crawling, as it’s less exhausting.
That two hearts exist solely to pump blood through the gills, with which the octopus breathes underwater, shows how important those are for its survival. The mimic octopus, like all octopuses, cannot survive out of water for long. Under ideal conditions, when their body and gills remain moist, they can survive for half an hour on land. But in most cases, they can only survive for a few minutes. This is because they depend on water for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and because on land their gills eventually collapse.
Still, on rare occasions, octopuses do choose to leave the water to find prey such as mussels or crabs. But the preferred habitat of the mimic octopus is warm, shallow water near river mouths, where they hunt and forage for small fish, crabs, other crustaceans and worms. There, the water is sandy and murky, which makes it easier for the octopus to hide from its many predators, such as whales, dolphins, eels, birds, sharks, barracudas and other large fish.
Since they have so many natural enemies, the mimic octopus needs an arsenal of abilities and techniques to defend itself. These include camouflage, mimicry, jet propulsion, spraying ink and using tools as well as their strong arms and beak.
One of the octopus’ best-known strategies is, of course, their ability to camouflage themselves. Unlike the chameleon, which changes its colours and patterns due to emotions and weather conditions, the octopus can deliberately change colour to blend in with its surroundings.
But the mimic octopus takes this talent to an entirely new level, as it can also realign its arms to copy different animals. This ability, which is called mimicry, is similar to the camouflage technique but has a different goal. Instead of blending in with their surroundings to become invisible, the mimic octopus changes its colour and shape to mimic another animal, to trick predators or prey into thinking they are facing a different species. For example, they can scare a predator away by mimicking a poisonous animal or lull their prey into a false sense of security by mimicking one of their kind.
The mimic octopus has mastered this so well that it is named after this talent.
This technique also shows their high intelligence: the mimic octopus does not choose its disguise randomly. Instead, it actively chooses the animal that is the most appropriate for the attacker or prey it faces.
Another option the octopus has to evade predators is to use jet propulsion, which funnels water from its gills through its siphon. Using this technique, the octopus can reach a high speed over a short distance to propel itself away from danger.
The so-called ink the octopus produces contains a compound called tyrosinase, which momentarily blinds the enemy when sprayed into their eyes while also dulling their sense of smell so that the octopus can escape.
And if all of that doesn’t help to get them out of harm’s way, octopuses can squeeze into the tightest spaces as they have no skeleton, making them one of the most flexible animals on Earth. The only hard part of their bodies is their beak – so if this fits through a hole or gap, the rest of the octopus can get through as well, effectively escaping a bigger predator.
In general, octopuses prefer to avoid fights. They would rather hide or flee. But they can also use tools they find on the seabed or fall back on their strong limbs.
The octopus’s eight arms are flexible, with two rows of suction cups – called suckers – on each. These are made out of tiny complex muscles with which the octopus can apply a great deal of pressure – enough to tear flesh, break a prey’s spine or suffocate a predator.
But the mimic octopus can use its arms for more than that. The octopus has a whopping nine brains, one central brain that controls their nervous system and a small brain in each of their eight arms. As a result, the arms can act separately and carry out different tasks at the same time, and they can still act and react after being severed from the body.
At great need, the octopus can detach one of its arms to distract predators. Then, once it has escaped, it will regrow a new limb.
Despite their amazing abilities, mimic octopuses are not invulnerable. Generally, their life ends after mating, which is the only time these solitary animals come together. The male’s hectocotylus – a specialised arm with which it deposits the sperm into the female – falls off, which leads to his death. Meanwhile, the female octopus will carry around the eggs – up to 500,000 – in strings, guarding them against predators and blowing currents of water over them so that they get enough oxygen. She does this until the larvae hatch, when her body undertakes a cellular suicide, resulting in her death.
Some spiritual meanings:
As the mimic octopus lives in the water, this element holds immense meaning to you. It’s the element of emotions. Meanwhile, being underwater is a symbol of the subconscious.
Are you aware of your emotions? Do you listen to them? And are you able to express them?
Also, do you need to bring forward what’s hidden in your subconsciousness?
Dive deep within yourself to uncover what you have forgotten.
The octopus is very sensitive to its environment.
Do you allow your sensitivity to shine?
The mimic octopus lives in an environment that’s always moving and changing. And just like the water, the octopus itself is a master of transformation.
Are you flexible and open? Are you able to go with the flow?
Or are you too rigid to navigate life easily?
Be daring enough to change any situations in your life that are not satisfactory. You have all the capabilities you need to see these changes through to the end.
When hunting, the octopus uses camouflage.
Be stealthy in your ventures and you will receive a positive outcome. Don’t announce your presence prematurely; stay hidden until you’ve reached your goal.
Also, do you really see what you think you are seeing?
Or are you being deceived by others?
The mimic octopus has mastered the art of mimicry.
Can you see and feel things from someone else’s perspective?
As an octopus person, you have the talent to understand others and are likely highly empathetic.
Octopus people have a superb intellect, are quick-thinking, imaginative and creative and are known to be great problem-solvers.
Are you using these abilities and talents as well as the tools that are available to you?
Your wit can easily overcome any problem you face, and your creativity can bring you unique solutions. Don’t limit yourself. Think outside the box when the situation calls for it.
Just like the octopus, you can squeeze through the smallest gap and get past obstacles you didn’t think possible before.
You can also show your strength by being soft and pliant whenever a situation calls for it.
The octopus can use its arms separately.
This means you have the power of focus and are effective at time management.
Beyond that, the eight arms of the octopus represent the number eight, which stands for eternity and abundance.
Are you feeling abundant?
Or do you need to heal any limiting beliefs around prosperity?
When you tap into the octopus medicine, you can gain an endless supply of energy and financial success.
The octopus’s arms can regrow if they are detached.
This translates to you being naturally good at the healing arts.
Do you need healing? Or can you provide healing to others?
Also, do you need to ‘cut off’ anything that doesn’t serve you any longer? Have you learned how to let go?
Or do you ‘cut things off’ unnecessarily instead of resolving the underlying issue?
If you want to read up on more spirit animals or want to learn more about spiritual topics in general, pick up a copy of my book “Willow and Strix – A spiritual journey” ©, available as a paperback or ebook (free for kindle unlimited users) US – UK – DE and in other countries
A. Wakan's Spirit Animals 