Chromatophores are small, pigment-containing cells controlled by an array of muscles and nerves.
These tiny, elastic sacs of color can expand or contract.
When a chromatophore is relaxed, the sac contracts, which can make it flush white (blanching) When the muscles around a chromatophore tighten, the sac stretches open, revealing colors such as black, brown, orange, red, or yellow!
Imagine flexing your muscles and instantly having a whole new outfit on!
This color change happens in a blink - just 1/5 of a second.
Almost like pixels on a computer screen, this color-changing superpower is thanks to thousands of chromatophores that transform them into squishy underwater billboards!
But guess what human....chromatophores is just 1 of 4 phores ...if you wanna collect em all, comment "phores" below and we'll send you our blog "The Fantastic Phore" and go into even more detail for our super fans Octopuses are endlessly fascinating- share this beauty to your stories.