An East Pacific red octopus’ normal colour is red or reddish-brown, but like other octopuses it can change quickly—in a fraction of a second—to yellow, brown, white, red or a variety of mottled colours. To defend themselves or for social signaling (for example, courting), octopuses change to colour patterns that contrast with their surroundings. To camouflage themselves, octopuses change to colour patterns that blend with their surroundings. They can also alter their skin texture to match sand or the surface of smooth or rough rocks.