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It is one of the simplest, but most enigmatic mysteries of nature: just why do flamingoes like to stand on one leg?
The question is asked by zoo visitors and biologists alike, but while numerous theories abound, no-one has yet provided a definitive explanation.
Now after conducting an exhaustive study of captive Caribbean flamingoes, two scientists believe they finally have the answer.
Flamingoes stand on one leg to regulate their body temperature, they say.
The mimic octopus, Thaumoctopus mimicus, is a species of octopus that has a strong ability to mimic other creatures. Its normal coloring consists of brown and white stripes or spots. Living in the tropical seas of South East Asia, it was not discovered officially until 1998, off the coast of Sulawesi.
The octopus mimics the physical likeness and movements of more than fifteen different species, including sea snakes, lionfish, flatfish, brittle stars, giant crabs, sea shells, stingrays, flounders, jellyfish, sea anemones, and mantis shrimp. It accomplishes this by contorting its body and arms, and changing color.
