Incredible footage of an octopus hiding from a shark by pretending to be a pile of shells is set to air in a new episode of Blue Planet II.
In the BBC One programme, which will be shown tomorrow evening, the female octopus is seen covering herself with shells before her hungry enemy starts swimming around nearby.
Sir David Attenborough, narrator for the programme, describes the deception as ‘truly extraordinary.’
In one heart-stopping moment, the shark smacks its tail on the octopus, turns around and begins to circulate around her again.
The camera then cuts to a close up of the octopus’ eye, which darts around nervously as the predator swims close by.
Sir David says: ‘When caught out in the open and vulnerable, this octopus does something truly extraordinary and never recorded before.
‘She disguises herself with a protective armour of shells. She’s hiding in plain sight.
‘The shark can sense its prey, but the shells confuse it.
‘In a forest full of hungry mouths, superior wits allow this octopus to stay alive.’
