Cephalopods are amazing animals. Have you heard to them before? It is a animal group that contains Cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish, Nautilus) are predatory mollusks. Cephalopods range in size from the pygmy squids (thumbnail-sized adults) to the colossal and giant squids (18 meters or 60 feet in total length), which are the largest known invertebrates. Cephalopods are believed to be among the most “advanced” invertebrates, having evolved large, brains, vertebrate-like eyes, and fast jet-propelled movement.
In this mission, you will learn a little more about them and a little more about one of their adaptations - incredible camouflage also known as adaptive coloration. Dynamic camouflage helps the animals evade detection by predators and approach prey with stealth; the same systems produce signals for communication with other members of their species. (Adapted from http://cephseq.org/basics.html).
Watch the video below and check out the adaptive coloration!
In this mission, you will learn a little more about them and a little more about one of their adaptations - incredible camouflage also known as adaptive coloration. Dynamic camouflage helps the animals evade detection by predators and approach prey with stealth; the same systems produce signals for communication with other members of their species. (Adapted from http://cephseq.org/basics.html).
Watch the video below and check out the adaptive coloration!
Check out some wonderful other types of cephalopods from the Oceanic Society.
There are two activities for this mission: M&M Survival Challenge and Hide the Octopus
1. The M&M Survival Challenge is described very well by Science Buddies.org. Please CLICK HERE to go to their website. Your Science Buddy should help you set-up the experiment with different items that look alike if you cannot use what is suggested. Have a few people try the challenge and keep a record of what happens.
2. Print out this octopus coloring activity. Modify the texture, color, shape, and size of their octopus picture by folding, crumpling, cutting, and coloring it. You can also create a paper octopus from scratch using colorful construction paper and similar techniques. See if you can make it fit into a different "environment" in your home. Can you make its coloration match your couch, chair or rug?
Don't forget to complete a Mission Report!
1. The M&M Survival Challenge is described very well by Science Buddies.org. Please CLICK HERE to go to their website. Your Science Buddy should help you set-up the experiment with different items that look alike if you cannot use what is suggested. Have a few people try the challenge and keep a record of what happens.
2. Print out this octopus coloring activity. Modify the texture, color, shape, and size of their octopus picture by folding, crumpling, cutting, and coloring it. You can also create a paper octopus from scratch using colorful construction paper and similar techniques. See if you can make it fit into a different "environment" in your home. Can you make its coloration match your couch, chair or rug?
Don't forget to complete a Mission Report!