Octopus Mimics Robotic Octopus

Not many sea creatures have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy!
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...
or here in the US:
www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episo...
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Spy Cuttlefish takes the title of the most sophisticated Spy ever made; its integrated screen can replicate the changing patterns of real cuttlefish. Giant cuttlefish wear their emotions on their sleeve, or skin to be more accurate. and so does our Spy. When Spy Cuttlefish shows the patterns of a male it is treated with hostility and rivalry, yet when it switches to the patterns of a female it becomes an object of desire among the males. Spy Cuttlefish must rely on its in-built communication skills to disentangle itself from the complexities of cuttlefish courtship. In the process, Spy Cuttlefish gains an insight into what both male and female cuttlefish really feel.
Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
#Mimicry #Octopus #Nature

[@believeinpeace]

Thanks!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you so much for your Super Thanks! It's very much appreciated.

[@believeinpeace]

@@JohnDownerProd I absolutely love the two octopus videos I watched. I’m going to watch all of your videos. Thank you, thank you

[@MrAmitkr007]

​@believeinpeace thank you so much!! Heroes like you make internet!!

[@Doug_Fany]

Really cool octopus video indeed! I wish I could spare some money too, but that's about half my monthly wage

[@jin_cotl]

Savior!

[@arkorat3239]

Imagine spending so much effort sneaking around, and disguising yourself. And then you see your buddy doing the equivalent of a t-pose, just waddling around in the open.

[@numbers93]

I lmao’d when it tried to copy those T-posing waddling imposter. 😅 It’s worrisome to ponder how it might switch to more flamboyant strategies because of the spybot’s example.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

@@numbers93Only if it works. If he sees a predator try to attack the robot, only to give up because it’s too tough or tastes bad, mimicking it wouldn’t be a bad idea (at least against predators familiar with that robot).

[@rabbaniazzahra1784]

Nah im dead

[@EthanCC3]

That’s what all fvckboys do

[@shiningstar737]

I don’t know much about Fortnite but I think this is basically it

[@gamer_garden1705]

Ain’t no way I just witnessed a flatfish get catfished by an octopus 😭😭😭

[@Casas567]

FOUR PROFILE PICTURE

[@hooktraining3966]

before GTA 6 at that

[@Demytybo]

NO WAY FOUR

[@Casas567]

@@Demytybo OBJECT SHOW FANS?!??!

[@MrNucleosome]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@arf5108]

I'd like to think that the octopus was making fun of the spy. "this is how dumb you look bro"

[@I-Fail-A-Lotl]

Lmao

[@dylanhenson3581]

Lmao literally that femboy egirl video "bro why you look so fuckin ugly?" 😂😂😂

[@putaidanganimal1]

😂😂😂 HAHAHAHAHA

[@mynameisnoonesbusiness4488]

Seriously, it’s possible.

[@jintsuubest9331]

They are smart enough for that tbh.

[@mr.giggles4995]

That flatfish got catfished.

[@DebbiesJoy]

😂🤣

[@maxximus6418]

That is the most beautiful thing I’ve heard today

[@Recomification]

luckily not lionfished

[@dylanhenson3581]

Hahaha ahh fuck you you beat me to the joke 😂

[@CaptainSpycrab]

Imagine you see a hot girl on the street, turn around to chat her up, and she looks back at you, peels into ribbons, and reforms into a grizzly bear.

[@Russia-bullies]

Fake octopus:”I’m a fake.” Real octopus:”You’re also a distraction.”😁

[@quantumblauthor7300]

God I wish that was me

[@RaptorJesus.]

It's crazy that it isn't just colours which it can change but also shape and texture

[@JohnDownerProd]

Absolutely! It's incredible.

[@zakosist]

Octopuses are the closest to shapeshifting we have in real life

[@adrianpoesiat]

🎼I’m a changeling , see me change🎶

[@JanusHoW]

And the crazy thing is that octopuses are colorblind, and yet still pull this off.

[@jacoreycannon]

@@zakosistit’s definitely cuttlefish 😂

[@Debbie338]

If octopuses lived longer, I think they’d rule the world.

[@rambozo_fpv176]

Theyre one of the oldest living organisms already...

[@Debbie338]

@@rambozo_fpv176 I think you missed my point.

[@mo_the_goat_1]

@@rambozo_fpv176 he means live longer as time for them to evolve or something not like age

[@Glasstable2011]

@@rambozo_fpv176they live to about 2-3 years old

[@wickedbird1538]

😮😮eventually, they may live longer and take over the oceans.

[@AFloridaSon]

The world is lucky that you found your calling, and that calling was turning cameras into animals.

[@Northpluto-eg6jk]

Pretty fire calling, to be honest.

[@ChooseCompassion]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@lunaa764]

I can't explain it but octopuses seem to have so much personality, they're really intelligent creatures

[@D00nkey]

They are, there was this one octopus that was annoyed by this electric light, so it spat water at it to shut it off, they can learn quickly

[@Softlol]

If you haven’t already watch My Octopus Teacher. Its a great documentary and show off their intelligence and emotional complexities. Without a doubt the smartest animal on earth after humans!

[@bradweir]

And...3 hearts and blue blood.

[@samsmom1491]

Please sign the petition to get the octopus farms stopped in Spain. It's horrendous.

[@planetofthegapes]

@@Softlol He wanted to fuck the octopus though

[@joonasnaski9513]

That robot is like a skinwalker to the actual octopuses.

[@elliot_rat]

and mimic octopuses are already skinwalkers so it's like, skinwalker²

[@JesgateOnDown]

That's not the robot. These robots are awesome but they can't can't do those types of mimicry... that's the real octopus. 🥴

[@DEARDANI_]

​@@JesgateOnDown They r talking about the "spy" octopus camera

[@blorp2031]

​@@DEARDANI_ Really fitting you have a splatoon pfp on an ocean vid

[@ahmadfirdausabdlatif4507]

​@@blorp2031 Not just ocean but also an octopus

[@ChocoBunny]

When the flatfish thought the octopus was one of his kind, it reminded me of Pepe Le Pew when the cat would always accidentally change into a skunk.

[@thisisgoodnews8043]

Lmao I could almost hear Pepe’s hopping music when that flatfish was chasing the octopus.

[@FreakinFred08]

I was gonna comment the exact same thing!

[@splendiferous_wallflower]

WAIT OMG YOURE SO RIGHT

[@rileyrobin2]

very funny that it mimicked the spy camera at the end! sea snakes are so elegant in the water.

[@kingo_friver]

He knew Spyrobo was the most invincible creature throughout the video. No one would even try to hit him despite the consistent visibility lol

[@potatomo9609]

@@kingo_friverof course it is, the cameraman never dies

[@hyaenidaes]

Agreed. Thought it was pretty cute that the sea snake checked out the spy camera too 😊

[@Hallands.]

It keeps puzzling me how octopuses evolved to be so intelligent, versatile and strange - and still has a lifespan of only 3 years!

[@carto4028]

Our common ancestors with them are flatworms. They are a completly different reimaging of what an intelligent lifeform is. They are native aliens.

[@eeveeofalltrades4780]

A design as amazing as this can't come from nowhere.

[@Hallands.]

@@eeveeofalltrades4780 Nothing comes from nowhere.

[@arkdirfe]

That also means that since they are solitary creatures, everything they do, they taught themselves within their lifetimes. It would be amazing to see what they could do with longer lifespans and a means to pass along knowledge.

[@Hallands.]

@@arkdirfe Some of the extraterrestrial visitors we seem to have always had are probably Cephalopods😊

[@deckzone3000]

He catfished that fish. 😢

[@AFloridaSon]

😅😅😅

[@Mortthemoose]

😂 he really did!

[@XavierUgg]

I love how the robotic one walks, it’s like it waddles!

[@stealthlock6634]

Do you like how I walk, Do you like how I talk, Do you like how my face Disintegrates into chalk

[@Gabzew]

​@@stealthlock6634I have a wonderful wife, I have a powerful job She criticizes me for being egocentric

[@luzcalderon7808]

Nothing better than a documentary narrated by the 10th Doctor himself

[@lkgrave4959]

Don't you mean the 14th?

[@JustAnAstronautPerson]

​@@lkgrave4959technically yeah you're right but it's actually the 10th.

[@lkgrave4959]

@@JustAnAstronautPerson And he was also the demon Crowley.

[@evilgoblinofhell]

@@lkgrave4959And scrooge mcduck

[@sameaston9587]

​@@lkgrave4959Don't you mean the Metacrisis Doctor?

[@stupidlysmart4202]

Octopuses are amazing when you really think about how smart and coordinated they are

[@theTUBEboy44]

Yes it’s even more incredible that they don’t learn it from their ancestors and have obly a lifetime of about 3-4 years

[@mo-s-]

*Octopi ☝️🤓

[@cahan557]

⁠@@mo-s-it is actually octopuses since it comes from greek meaning “eight footed” rather than latin. If we are being really ☝️🤓 then it should be “octopodes” (The longer answer is that people believed the plural should be octopi because we took the word octopus from latin however latin took it from the greek oktopus and so it makes more sense to honour the word’s original grammar rules rather than the middle man’s grammar rules. This is why many people mistakenly correct octopuses to octopi.)

[@luxxlace6678]

Plot twist the octopus is the mime of the ocean that even the toughest give them a chuckle & say “good one man” therefore avoiding all conflict

[@laurarandolph5600]

Unbelievable...disorienting. Like a master magician... a master of disguises... The music, narration, photography are great... Who would ever suspect the vastly complicated world hidden behind the few little species most humans are aware of...

[@lars2894]

One of the best footage I've seen on this channel. I am awestruck right now.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Wow, thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@definitivamenteno-malo7919]

I'm sure that octopus wasn't just trying to avoid damage but actually playing with the "weird fella"

[@silentotaku8]

I imagine the octopus has an Irish accent now lol!

[@MissNArismendezX]

😮 I've never seen an octopus behave in a way that shows how it thinks the robot octopus should defend itself and showing it how to camouflage then flipping out when the robot doesn't comply then flipping out even more after predators pass by the robot then ultimately cooping itself up to reflect what the hell went wrong in its world.. 😮😮😮

[@AlessandroApostolo]

Octopus getting pulled over by flatfish looking for a mate 😂

[@1.4142]

"Beep boop I'm a robot"

[@JanusHoW]

Scientists in the future have studied your ass for centuries, and have sent back in time to mimic it!

[@DelRae]

The flatfish getting cat fished I cannot

[@Iphideen]

I love how this squid just thinks he has a new buddy and they are going along on a joutmey together.

[@AndromedaCripps]

It’s impressive how it’s able to observe and respond to complex shapes/movement/color!! It actually “knows” how to change its body to different colors. If we could have a conversation with it, it could feasibly make any pattern we asked it to! Insane.

[@mo-s-]

What if it communicated by writing text on it's skin

[@stephanieyee9784]

Octopuses are so fascinating and intelligent. This one was amazing and playful. It looked like it was having a ball.

[@thelemonwho]

Imagine going up to a girl at the bar; then she explodes into a mass of color changing tentacles and drifts away. Poor flatfish is never going to be the same after that date... 😂

[@shishoka]

Mother of God... do you know what this means? It's learned to DO THE ROBOT!

[@Chromebeetle_]

Absolutely amazing impersonations!

[@Mortthemoose]

Incredible creatures! I can't wait for science to advance, so that we can know even more about these fascinating aliens!

[@VeganDoris]

So cool! We often see octopi mimic their surroundings, but this is the first time I’ve seen them mimic another organism!

[@user-eb3pm9vs9t]

I wouldn’t say I’m fooled but I will say I’m impressed a gifted shapeshifter no other octopus can do this!

[@shadydaemon4178]

Cuttlefish can change shape and color too, but for either hypnosis, or males mimicking females to get close.

[@nadiaddis1145]

It HAS to be super exhausting, to be that intelligent!!

[@jenm1]

He looks like he's having so much fun

[@birbluv9595]

Wonderful video! I just discovered you, and subscribed. When i learned how utterly amazing and intelligent octopuses are, i stopped eating them, though i’d eaten octopus only twice before. We have so much to learn from these talented creatures.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you for subscribing! Yes octopuses are amazing creatures.

[@Lu.9]

Drama on the sea floor… keeping up with the octopi

[@KenanLaudat-tp3bp]

Honestly heartbreaking when flat fish Sammy got cat fished Really shows how much of a jerk octopus jack is

[@Freddy67675]

It amazing how quickly they can change their colours and texture, I love watching them, 😊😊

[@DakovP]

what an amazing creature, truly an alien in our world

[@rambozo_fpv176]

Alien to us land-based creatures.

[@blucat4]

Your world? It was never your world.

[@DakovP]

@@blucat4true I’m not of this world

[@cordyceps7531]

It’s funny how this octopus just seems to be doing nothing but vibing the ocean and flexing it’s abilities to camouflage

[@rizvinayem5882]

I think octopuses are the most amazing creatures on earth.

[@dracodracarys2339]

It's almost like the octopus saw the spy octopus boldly strolling around unafraid out in the open and was like "this guy must have some potent secret defense! He's probably worth imitating..."

[@ForNika]

I walk out of any damn restaurant that sells octopus.

[@hydrogen-8]

oh, i see 🙄 when they shapeshift into sand and fish and robot cameras it's 'impressive' and 'intelligent', but when they shapeshift into a delicious seafood dish thats where you draw the line? 🤨 /j

[@holierthanthou_]

Stressful life for the octopus.

[@HelicopterDown]

These documentaries are magical! I absolutely love how alien and intelligent Octopi are. I've always wondered, who films the robot octopus? Is there a diver swimming nearby as I figure that would spook the creatures, or is it a camera on a rope tether?

[@buzzyboo6673]

I really hope it's not a diver for this episode. Those waters seem to be infested with poisonous critters! 😊

[@elenavinogradova2600]

осьминожки необыкновенные, потрясающие и умные животные. спасибо за фильм

[@Fomites]

I'm falling in love with cephalopods.

[@blucat4]

If you haven't already seen it, you must watch "True Facts About The CuttleFish" 😄

[@Hollyucinogen]

There's a video of some scientists doing some experiments on cuttlefish somewhere on KZbin, and they showed him a black-and-white checkered pattern, and he couldn't figure out how to mimic it, so he just stared for a while and then did a single black square in the middle of his forehead. 😂

[@chenilleoneil1289]

Yeah I saw that too. You could tell the cuttlefish tried REALLY hard.

[@mikeomolt4485]

Predators, if you see a creature constantly changing shape, colour and skin texture, that's your meal.

[@LiterallyDeepie]

man I LOVE these videos so much

[@JustinSteele-gd5nu]

Getting catfished by an octopus 😂 I've officially seen it all

[@Riley_Shwortsnozzle]

Gonna walk around in the most dangerous ghetto I can find with a dufflebag full of party city costumes. Gotta stress test this theory

[@rustysalmonella7681]

Lol imagine you were trying to win over your crush and you all of a sudden realized it was just a dog or something

[@sharim]

Octopuses are my favorite sea creature. Thanks for the amazing footage!

[@mikevanderman2727]

The most awesome thing I have seen in years, I am still in awe, beautiful, simple beautiful

[@user-un1tv8id9c]

I have never seen an animal this clever,HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE

[@KenanLaudat-tp3bp]

Honestly 90% of animals out there are pretty smart . Humans think they are so special with our technology which is cool but really just a way to make up for how weak we are

[@ergosumadrieyl2927]

he’s just going around mimicking and mocking everybody lol

[@dragothedragon7044]

The octopus: this robot is so uncanny... I hate how it looks, but it should be enough to fool other animals

[@aho5666]

So, a young human teen in search of identity is practically an octopus.

[@timvanarsdel]

Amazing how you captured the sound of the fish's eye movements by flicking your thumbnail across a few playing cards. Thank you for ensuring every single action onscreen had a matching sound lest we get bored and duck out.

[@KingKyrool]

I imagine this guy's next episode is going to be using robotic technology to spy on human behaviors.

[@ZeeAzman]

I’d like to think that the mimic doesn’t just do it for survival, but also for intellectual stimulation and its own entertainment.. certainly seems intelligent enough to ☺️

[@MyTubeOne]

Without this kind of video we never know anything

[@knitwit014]

Such shapeshifting prowess, im surprised he's not running for office.

[@AniFam]

This is awesome to see how animals adjust their behavior~👍 Thank you for sharing this video~🤗

[@alvisstalwart925]

Im always astonished at just how much detail octopus will successfully mimic just from a few moments of observation (probably memory too in older ones). It strikes me as analogous to someone adopting not just the dress, but the walking gait and dialect of another group of people after a quarter hour spent people watching.

[@iliketoastems]

This is absolutely fascinating! The sea snake impersonation was so cool

[@user-yf4bx4zv5b]

章魚真的是一種很有趣的生物.

[@RAD6150]

Always entertaining... and informative.

[@plankface]

I swear the lion fish rolled his eyes when he realized. 🤍. (I love these videos)

[@PSUK]

These sea-spy posts are brilliant!!!

[@B_gato]

Nah they just dropped all those fish for the octopus to mimic

[@marlenaforbes-reidy9876]

I’ve always admired the ability of the octopus 🐙 and their ability to accomplish the many shape shifting manoeuvres and colours they can create. ❤️🐙❤️

[@WesternIssue]

sea snakes are so elegant in the water.🪱

[@blueskysailing]

I love the animal spy videos. They are fascinating. Thanks for sharing! 🙋❤

[@Herozilla8109]

This Octopus should take a job as an actor.

[@GeeGnebAb]

the way octopus glides is soo soothing

[@endofdaysprophet]

That was one of the most unbelievable things I have ever seen!!! AWESOME

[@lamdao1242]

I read that octopus live between 1 and 5 years. I truly believe that is octopus have a life span of 40 or so years, they would rule the world.

[@definitivamenteno-malo7919]

But only waterworld, they can't use chemistry like we do, and for that, they need a medium capable of causing fire

[@samuelallanviolin752]

@@definitivamenteno-malo7919 Sure there are challanges but they can live on land for up to an hour, if they could continue being curious over the course of the 40 years and could pass on knowledge it is quite possible (imo) they would reach our stage of development much faster than we did

[@misssmith7225]

I'm starting to believe that the ocean is full of everything poisonous. I'm grateful I have a safe home, food, and water.

[@sandrawilkinson3782]

I wish they all knew how much we adore them. Such a sweet little sea monster. Precious❤❤❤

[@rosedeeds53]

🐙: that weird octopus is going to get eaten for sure just standing out in the open like that 🤖🐙: *doesn’t get eaten* 🐙: 👁️👄👁️

[@shreyasi1518]

I've never fallen in love with an octo before !! 😂❤

[@Hgggghhhfria1593]

Nature is best at creation

[@Appleonaplinth]

the octopus got more then he bargained for

[@JamesBoxxy]

Anything narrated by David Tennant is a great watch! Love stuff like this! 🙌🔥🔥

[@ZelphTheWebmancer]

I love hearing The Doctor explain wild life to me

[@zippersnstitches9009]

For some reason I read “Octopus Mimics” as “Optimus Prime” and was so confused until after I finished the video and re-read the title

[@kaulis6524]

this footage is awesome!

[@francescotomasinelli5300]

Great work. Thanks

[@Ag3nt-MC]

Octopi are easily my favorite sea creature. What can’t they do? File taxes? If you train one it definitely could!

[@HarleyLuna31]

Bet that octopus was riding the uncanny valley hard😂

[@CJDane-rf1je]

I love this content I could watch octopi for hours

[@marymorris8185]

Some scerntist say octopus were brought here by aliens . They are very clever !

[@alexiaivan7708]

Octopi are the chameleons of the sea.

[@HarleyLuna31]

Man he knows that thing aint a real octopus😂

[@cactusgamingyt9960]

It's impressive that the octopus uses one of its' jets to mimic the flatfish's mouth!

[@user-ym2dn3ks4n]

These octopuses are seeing the world and then recreating it according to their own interpretation. Isn't that art?