It turns out octopuses might be dreaming—and showing it. While they sleep, some species rapidly shift colors, pulsing through strange patterns that look anything but random.
Marine biologists believe this might be linked to octopuses experiencing REM-like sleep, the same phase where humans dream. During this state, the octopus’s chromatophores (tiny color-changing cells) flare up, making it flash colors it normally uses while hunting or hiding. This could mean it’s “acting out” scenes from a dream—changing colors as if it’s stalking prey, even while fully asleep.
It’s still unclear what an octopus dreams about, but if color is any clue, their subconscious is just as weird and fascinating as they are.