Octopuses are also capable of changing their color, depending on mood and environment. Rapid waves of color can sweep over the body of the octopus in seconds, and range from pink to brown. When in danger, the octopus often camouflages itself, by matching its body color to that of its surroundings. The female may deposit as many as 100,000 eggs at a time. It takes 4-8 weeks for eggs to hatch, during which time the female guards the eggs around the clock.
Young octopuses hatch without a larval stage and appear as drifting plankton.
Although science has documented the existence of octopuses over the course of time, very little is known about certain areas of the octopus. Lifespan, for example, is not entirely understood. Studies in which octopus were raised from eggs in an aquarium produced varying results on the exact lifespan of the octopus. However, it is believed that the average lifespan of the octopus is just one year. It is thought that octopuses reach sexual maturity at the age of 5-months.