Overview

Hanlon introduces the amazing adaptive coloration of cephalopods. He uses video and still photography to showcase their ability to rapidly change color, pattern and skin texture with fine control and a diversity of appearances, to produce camouflage or to send signals. He argues that all camouflage patterns in nature can be grouped into three types. In part 2, Hanlon shows us results from his lab that make a convincing case that the rapid adaptive coloration of cephalopods is controlled by their visual system; quite impressive for a color-blind animal! Part 3 focuses on the unique skin of cephalopods including the system of pigments and reflectors that allows it to quickly change to any hue and contrast, and the papillae musculature that allows the skin to deform and create multiple 3D textures.

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