March 27, 2020, by admin

Earlier this month, educators from the Science Center along with UCSC Researcher- Lauren Bell, and Sitka Conservation Society Jesuit Volunteer- Jill Hayden, took a trip to Pirates Cove with Stacy Golden’s Marine Biology class for their grand finale snorkeling session. While the water temperature was low (~40 degrees F), the enthusiasm for underwater adventuring was extremely high! The wonderful thing about snorkeling during winter months is that the water is SO clear! With shorter days and less sunlight, there is very little phytoplankton in the water, making the visibility exceptional (more on plankton in the coming weeks). The underwater world of the Sitka Sound is truly one of a kind. The kelp forests are teeming with all kinds of invertebrate life – crabs, snails, limpets, red urchins, green urchins, pinto abalone, and so much more. 

One of our very sharp-eyed high school students spotted this curious creature while admiring the kelp forest and pink coralline algae that covers the surface of rocks – can you spot the camouflaged creature in the photo below? 

You’ve spotted a Giant Pacific Octopus!

Octopus and other cephalopods (squid and cuttlefish) are masters of disguise because of their specialized color-changing cells called chromatophores. Chromatophores contain pigment sacs that can become more visible when the radial muscles are contracted and less visible when the radial muscles are relaxed. Because of this, cephalopods can change color to blend in with almost any habitat, making them true masters of disguise and creatures of camouflage!

To learn more about these incredible creatures of camouflage, please check out the following activity sheet! (recommended for Elementary/Middle School Level)

For more information about chromatophores and additional activities, please check out the following education website. There are some wonderful experiments and activities suitable for all ages! https://www.sciencefriday.com/educational-resources/cephalopod-camouflage-beauty-thats-skin-deep/