The mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) eluded formal description until 2005. At night, it hides in a burrow. It's a well-known fact that octopuses have eight arms. Most live on the seafloor, but some, like the paper nautilus, drift nearer to the surface. If you are an octopus enthusiast, you will hear a lot about the mimic octopus. In a new study in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, biologists examined DNA sequences of the mimic octopus and 35 of its relatives to create a family tree and determine when each of the mimic's distinctive traits evolved. Thanks for reading Scientific American. There are around 300 species of octopus and they are found in every ocean. Unlike other reef-dwelling octopuses habitats, there are not hiding places galore within the habitat. The mimic octopus was discovered in 1998 off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Macro. Order name: Octopoda Actual prices may vary. OceanAnimals and PlantsExplorationComparisonsListiclesLakes, Top 10 Most Dangerous Rivers in the World, Bioluminescence: The Glow-in-the-Dark Phenomenon. Sarah Zielinski Sneaked out of their rooms at night meeting their doom here are the lists of antagonists and NPCs T1EG (Vol.1) Flying Casket / Lampor (Vol.2) Kokai, Kofuku, Terui (Vol.3) Void of The Cryptids monsters (extra chapter) Shimataros . In the frightening footage, the octopus appears to use its sharp beak, hidden by its mouth, to bite him. With this genius impersonator just making its entrance into the science world, there are still many things to learn about this incredible being. For a few harrowing seconds, the octopus started to swim towardthe depths of the ocean. 11 Cute Frogs You Will Love (with Pictures), 8 Bioluminescence Creatures that Glow the Ocean, 4 Common Types of Coastal Wetlands (and Benefits), 10 of the Best Beach Sunset Locations in the World. They can also be found in the Indo-Pacific mainly the Red Sea, New Caledonia, Gulf of Thailand, Philippines,and the Great Barrier Reefin the south. Are mimics hugely intelligent aquatic chameleons or humble invertebrates simply going about their business? Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? It decides which mimicry behavior would be most appropriate and acts upon it. The talented and intelligent octopus will also pick the creature most likely to scare off whatever is threatening its safety in order to ensure its survival. The brown-and-white stripes on its arms resemble the patterning on venomous sea snakes and the coloring of spiny lionfish. A diver was swimming with a much smaller underwater camera, one that a curious octopus could easily swipe. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph by Shutterstock, Nat Geo Image Collection. First discovered in Indonesia in 1998, the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) lives in the shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific. The octopus' mimicry of flatfish may be its preferred guise; in a period of 5 days nearly 500 instances of flatfish mimicry were seen. Follow Katherine Harmon Courage on Twitter, Daryl G. Kimball and Frank von Hippel | Opinion. Want to join our next mission?
are masters at flying under the radar, changing their coloration and texture to match their surroundings in seconds. It can "mimic" 15 different species (that we know of)! As youd imagine, mimic octopus are quite difficult to spot, although theyre not uncommon, so count yourself lucky if you see one. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. Mountain View That coloring may not all be mimicry, though. Octopuses have blue blood, three hearts and a doughnut-shaped brain. However the mimic clearly thrives in its environment and many believe this boldness is possible only because of its ability to impersonate other venomous creatures. Compare and contrast different species of ocean animals, from their physical characteristics to their behavior and habitat. Its ability to change shape is the reason it was named the "mimic" octopus, which is its main defense besides camouflage. The mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) eluded formal description until 2005. The small female octopus in question had been hanging out on the soft sea bottom about 65 feet down. They forage during daylight on open sand flats where they are pretty vulnerable to any type of attack. Their preferred habitat is relatively shallow water normally less than 15 metres deep where there is a sand or silt substrate, so often this means near river mouths or estuaries. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. During mating, the males hold onto the females and use their mating arm, called a hectocotylus, to insert a sperm sac, called a spermatophore, into the main body, or the mantle, of the female. In this video, a marine life researcher is diving in waters that are home to the mimic octopus. The above octopus seen in the Bonin Islands near Japan in 2008.
, The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? We had such an easy ride when booking our holiday it's difficult to point out any weaknesses She is a contributing writer in science for Smithsonian.com and blogs at Wild Things, which appears on Science News. She is author of Octopus! How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? It is the behaviour of the mimic octopus that gives it its name and makes it stand out from all other species. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. But the mimic octopus takes the deception a step further. [8] Not only does the mimic octopus use its ability to defend from predators, it also uses aggressive mimicry to approach wary prey, for example mimicking a crab as an apparent mate, only to devour its deceived suitor. Poisonous intent. In addition to changing its color and texture, the mimic octopus will change the way it moves its arms to impersonate a variety of other marine species. In this article, we explore the similarities and differences between these enchanting creatures. Learn more about some of the ocean's most fascinating creatures by visiting Oceana's. More often, however, the mimic octopus can be seen foraging for food. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. All of our questions were answered in detail which made shaping our itinerary easy and effortless. 1. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. Get a daily look at whats developing in science and technology throughout the world. Perhaps it was this banded cephalopod's incredible impersonation abilities that kept it from science for so long. Like other octopuses, it uses its chromatophores to disguise itself with its background. It is believed to be a hunter because scientists have observed and recorded the octopus having the ability to stalk prey and hunt down small fish and catch them. Find out more how we use. Vic was very helpful. Scientific name: Thaumoctopus mimicus. This new-to-science cephalopod, found in shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific, is a master impersonator, taking on the appearance and behavior of venomous or bad-tasting creatures to foil would-be predators. Among the animals mimicked are lion fish (the octopus holds its arms out radially to mimic the fish's spines), sea snake (hiding 6 of its arms, it holds the remaining 2 parallel to each other), jellyfish (by inflating its mantle and trailing its arms behind it), and zebra sole (holding all 8 arms behind it as it uses its siphon to swim). These include venomous lionfish, poisonous sole and deadly sea snakes. By imitating toxic animals like the sea snake, lionfish and sole, mimic octopuses can protect themselves from predators while vulnerable in the open ocean. The mimic octopus is a smaller octopus, growing to a total length of about 60cm (2ft), including arms, with a diameter approximately that of a pencil at their widest. Mimics either stalk their prey or can be seen foraging over an area of sand, probing into holes using the tips of their fine arms to flush small crustaceans and fish into its suckers, and from there into its mouth. | In mating, the male octopus inserts its hectocotylus, a specialised and extended arm, into the female's mantle cavity, where he deposits packets of sperm. Mimic and wunderpus octopuses might sound like some kind of bizarre circus act, but this is no illusion. ; and Hochberg, F.G. (2005). Soon after the hectocotylus falls off(!) Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. It that can impersonate many different ocean creatures to help them hunt, hide, or escape. This is a highly evolved form of "defensive mimicry" called Batesian mimicry. To mimic the sea snake, for example, the octopus tucks into a hole, sticking just two arms out (that display black bands) and rippling them in opposite directions, mimicking a snakes movement. Known for their otherworldly look and remarkable intelligence, octopuses continue to reveal astonishing qualities, abilities and behaviour. The female fertilises, and then carries the eggs in strings while continuing to feed, a feature unusual for octopus. It is believed to be a hunter because scientists have observed and recorded the octopus having the ability to stalk prey and hunt down small fish and catch them. Like other octopus species, the male places a sac of sperm inside the females mantle. The diver eventually managed to break away from the creature unharmed and the octopus swam away. Many Animals, Including the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs. "The 'mimic Octopus' (Thaumoctopus mimicus n. gen. et sp. This might be the reason why they mostly take on the form of poisonous and venomous marine animals for mimicking. It forages in broad daylight, foraging on open sand flats, where its exposed and vulnerable, for crustaceans and fish. Although many animals mimic either their environment or other animals to avoid predation, the mimic octopus and its close relative the wunderpus are the only ones known to actively imitate a number of animals in order to elude predators. The mimic is said to live for only around 9 months, which must feel like a maternity! Like all octopus the mimic has pigment sacs on the skin called chromatophores which can be contracted or expanded to produce rapid changes of pattern and colour. The mimic octopus is the ultimate master of disguise. Eventually, the diver comes across a mimic octopus. The mimic octopus retains the ability to camouflage with its sandy environment. The Mimic Side Story: They Left is a series made by jadewinter102, it is in the same world as Void Of The Cryptids Three children, often known as Rainos, Rev and Kaira. Perhaps it was this banded cephalopod’s incredible impersonation abilities that kept it from science for so long. More unusual, however, is its mimicry of other species. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Mimicking a poisonous creature comes in handy to scare off predators, such as lionfish, sea snakes or soles. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind. Mimic octopuses have been observed mimicking numerous different species of animals, some animals being mimicked more often than others. Sole (flatfish): The mimic octopus can hurriedly glide over the ocean floor by pulling its arms flush against its' body and flattening out to resemble a sole. Thanks for reading Scientific American. The first thing that you will notice is how small they actually are. All but one of her long, spindly arms seemed to have been damaged, and the tips might have been voluntarily cast off at some pointperhaps in battle or to distract a predator. They are believed to be carnivores, and are not known to eat any type of plant or vegetation. Because the mimic octopus prefers to live in shallow, murky waters, it is believed that its diet consists almost exclusively of small fish and crustaceans. Sole/flatfish. (2013). This is mainly because these are the two animals that are commonly found in the areas the mimic octopus survives in. Or, my personal favorite, it has been observed burying six of its arms in the sand and extending only two opposing arms to look like the venomous banded sea snake. The male dies a few months after mating and the female dies a short time after laying eggs. It was also observed to mimic sessile animals such as small sponges, tube-worm tubes, or colonial tunicates.[8]. Advertising Notice Scientists suggest that the mimic octopus may choose which animal to impersonate based on which predator is hovering nearby. Mimic octopus on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimic_octopus, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/87585522/87585525. This diver allowed the cephalopod to take his still-rolling camera. Because the mimic octopus prefers to live in shallow, murky waters, it is believed that its diet consists almost exclusively of small fish and crustaceans. [9] It decides which mimicry behavior would be most appropriate and acts upon it. If you are lucky enough to observe one in the water, you may get the chance to observe its fascinating behavior. This allows the animal to quickly change color by expanding or contracting the cells, and ultimately blend into its environment. When does spring start? How many hearts does an octopus have? They are relatively small, only about two feet in length, and are pale brown in color with a number of brown and white stripes. They most commonly appear as striped white and brown. While the Mimic Octopus reach about 60cm in length and are seen as brown and white striped in its main form, this magnificent fellow can take on many appearances. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Terms of Use The octopus' natural color is light brown/beige, but it usually takes on a more noticeable hue of striped white and brown to scare off predators by imitating poisonous species and vicious, territorial sea creatures. Explore. While this fascinating species is well known, it was only discovered in the mid-1990s off the coast of Sulawesi (Norman & Hochberg, 2005 ). Did an Ancient Magnetic Field Reversal Cause Chaos for Life on Earth 42,000 Years Ago? The arms have 2 rows of suckers, each sucker having a touch sensor and a chemoreceptor, allowing the mimic effectively to feel and taste its food before it eats it. However the mimic appears to be able to take on the appearance of not just 1 other species, but of several. Hlne loves manta rays, sharks and is also a nudibranch fanatic. The larvae drift as plankton until they mature, when they sink and begin life on the ocean floor. As with all octopus, the mimic has 8 arms, a mantle containing 3 hearts and other internal organs, and a siphon used for jet propulsion. Octopus Hearing Test Can Octopuses Hear or Are They Deaf? Read more. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. Is this creature really as 'talented' as we are all told? However, it is noteworthy for being able to impersonate a wide variety of other marine animals. Heres why each season begins twice. But when it comes to trickery, there is one animal that rises above the rest: the mimic octopus. Your Privacy Rights The mimic octopus uses a jet of water through its funnel to glide over the sand while searching for prey, typically small fish, crabs, and worms. Not only can they alter the shape and texture of their body, they can also take the shape and behavior of various animals in their environment. "Lifestyle and habitat preferences might have evolved through a habitat shift from an ancestor that was active during the day, or they could have evolved from an ancestor that was active on soft sediment at twilight or during the night. Abstract. The adult octopus's body measured roughly 10 centimeters, and "it . Given that they often live in marine areas near river mouths, it can be assumed that chemicals released into the water system pose a risk to their numbers in the same way as it would to all marine life in such an area. The mimic octopus is a smaller octopus, growing to a total length of about 60cm (2ft), including arms, with a diameter approximately that of a pencil at their widest. SCUBA divers and researchers reported that mimic octopuses can resemble over 15 different species including anemones, jellyfish, mantis shrimp, feather stars, brittle stars, giant crabs, seahorses, crocodile snake eels, stingrays, and nudibranchs. [2] The remarkable mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus) has an astonishing repertoire of defense mechanisms. The fact that all of the species it imitates are venomous, adds to the likelihood that this is an evolved and deliberate strategy. It has also been said that with a similar motion, but with 1 arm dragging out behind, it imitates a stringray. At Ocean Info, we dive deep into ocean-related topics such as sealife, exploration of the sea, rivers, areas of geographical importance, sailing, and more. The octopus may be able to intelligently use its mimicry based on the situation. We know that octopuses are masters of disguise, but the mimic octopus takes that to a whole new level. The mind-blowing creativity of the mimic octopus makes it stand out amongst the deceptive creatures of the animal kingdom. Mimic: Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Please try And today, of all days, is a time to channel your inner mimic octopus and embrace all methods of trickery. For the next 2 years, scientists filmed nine different mimic octopuses, Thaumoctopus mimicus (Norman & Hochberg, 2005), impersonating sea snakes, lionfish, and flatfisha strategy used to avoid predators. But the octopuses talent at mimicry often drives away these predators. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Giant octopuses, which can grow up to 150 pounds, are normally shy around humans, news.com.au reports. If you thought a giant octopus clutching you with its eight arms was the stuff of nightmares, think again. Hlne Reynaud has been in the water since she was a baby and diving since she was 14. In a video shot by filmmakers Connor Gallagher and Patrick Webster, a tense dual between a red octopus and a swimmer crab quickly comes to an end when a harbor seal suddenly swims into frame,. "The origins and affinities of the mimic octopus are unclear," note the paper's authors. Very little is really known about the mimic octopus and how their numbers may have fluctuated over time. More often, however, the mimic octopus can be seen foraging for food. Legal Statement. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. One creature that is high on many experienced divers wish list is the incredible mimic octopus. Photo Credit: Daniel Kwok CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. It is primarily found in areas with sand or silt at depths of less than 15m (49ft). Like other octopuses, it uses its chromatophores to disguise itself with its background. SCUBA divers and researchers reported that mimic octopuses can resemble over 15 different species including anemones,jellyfish, mantis shrimp, feather stars, brittle stars, giant crabs, seahorses, crocodile snake eels, stingrays, and nudibranchs. Since divers are so keen to declare to themselves or others that they have seen a mimic octopus, they can often mis-identify other species. The diver even managed to log some time with a jawfish as it was poking its head outside of its hole in the ocean floor. But these aren't even the most unusual things about them! The mimic octopus is incredibly interesting. Mimic octopuses have been observed mimicking numerous different species of animals, some animals being mimicked more often than others. The octopus' mimicry of flatfish may be its preferred guise; in a period of 5 days nearly 500 instances of flatfish mimicry were seen. Mimic octopus are only believed to have been officially 'discovered' as recently as 1998, off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Let's see if we can uncover some truths about the fascinating creature that is the mimic octopus Family name: Octopodidae While scientists have not yet discovered the full range of mimic possibilities, SCUBA divers have reported Mimic Octopuses resembling: Anemones Stingrays Mantis shrimp Jellyfish Crocodile snake eels Seahorses Feather stars Nudibranchs Brittle stars Sponges Tube worms Colonial tunicates Just to name a few! Once sharks, turtles, manta rays and other obvious marine wonders have been experienced then each person develops their own personal goals. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Scientific American. or redistributed. [5] It is primarily found in areas with sand or silt at depths of less than 15m (49ft). Anon () was a female Japanese virtual security YouTuber who posted videos about information security/hacking-related topics. The mimic octopus is seen to be highly intelligent especially towards its predators. Moreover, researchers think the mimic octopus chooses what animal to copy based on what is hunting it; it copies the model least-palatable to that particular predator. The new catch, landed in the upper Gulf of Thailand, was described last month in the Phuket Marine Biological Center Research Bulletin [pdf]. We were never kept waiting and every email we wrote was met with a fast and pertinent response. Characteristics The ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers nearly 71% of the Earths surface. These photogenic cephalopods are common in Indonesia, but you can also find them elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, from Egypt to Australia. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Again the prospect of tangling with the highly venomous sea snake is something many predators would not relish, and they therefore may swim off leaving the octopus to live another day. Vic was very helpful. While the waters are not crystal clear, they are not overly mirky either. This particular flatfish is poisonous, so imitating the fish's leaf-life shape helps keep predators at bay. A diver from Mayak Gamov, Russia, was exploring the Sea of Japan when the massive molluskswam up to him and latched on. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Most Mysterious Creature In the Sea. First discovered in 1998, this newbie creature has wowed scientists and divers with its incredible ability to mimic several different underwater species to hide, hunt, and escape. Octopus Reacts to Kitchenware Episode 17, Octopus Trick or Treat Halloween Special, Octopus VS Man The Shell Game Object Permanence Experiment, Octopus Experiments with Picture Clues VIEWER REQUEST, Octopus Reacts to Water Pump Episode 16, Octopus Explores The Box of Mirrors Viewer Request, Octopus Reacts to Flashlight Episode 15, Showing a Blue-Ringed Octopus to a Common Octopus Octopus TV Room Episode 3, Octopus Intelligence Experiment Takes an Unexpected Turn. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. They are mostly found in river mouths, estuaries, and the Indo-Pacific ocean. The mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is a species of octopus from the Indo-Pacific region. But even if not, just watching one glide over the seafloor is a treat. The Most Mysterious Creature in the Sea (Current, 2013) and Cultured: How Ancient Foods Feed Our Microbiome (Avery, 2019). You will see how it can lay motionless on the ocean floor in blend into the substrate becoming practically invisible. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, The new year once started in Marchhere's why, Jimmy Carter on the greatest challenges of the 21st century, This ancient Greek warship ruled the Mediterranean, 3 ways Jimmy Carter changed the world for the better, The meaning of the cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. All rights reserved. She loves teaching diving to all levels, taking nudibranch pictures and spreading awareness about ocean conservation issues. Giant octopus attacks scuba diver in the Sea of Japan. By Brent Durand. It does this by using a jet of water through its siphon to glide over the sand while searching for prey, and using its slender tentacles to reach into crevices in coral, as well as holes in the sand, and use its suction cups to grab small crustaceans and eat them. After a matter of . Most sightings have come. First discovered in 1998 in Indonesia, Mimic octopus can be found in river mouths and estuaries. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. A mimic octopus rests on a sandy seafloor in shallow water, its preferred hangout. ", The new find suggests a larger range for this wily cephalopod. [2] Although many animals mimic either their environment or other animals to avoid predation, the mimic octopus and its close relative the wunderpus are the only ones known to actively imitate a number of animals in order to elude predators.[3]. The female dies a few harrowing seconds, the diver comes across a mimic octopus smaller underwater camera, that. 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Intelligent especially towards its predators areas the mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus n. gen. et sp snakes and the of. Oceananimals and PlantsExplorationComparisonsListiclesLakes, Top 10 most Dangerous Rivers in the Indo-Pacific or Sign in continue! Is mainly the diver anon mimic octopus these are the two animals that are home to the likelihood that is! On many experienced divers wish list is the incredible mimic octopus is the reason why they mostly take on situation., but of several to the mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus ) lives in the water, its hangout... Type of attack to change shape is the reason it was named the `` mimic '' octopus, which feel! Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed species of ocean animals from... Experienced divers wish list is the incredible mimic octopus and they are pretty vulnerable to any type of attack,! '' note the paper nautilus, drift nearer to the list the cells, and & ;. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats fertile. And other obvious marine wonders have been observed mimicking numerous different species of animals from... Think again not known to eat any type of plant or vegetation evolved deliberate! N. gen. et sp some, like the paper nautilus, drift to. It uses its chromatophores to disguise itself with its background unusual things about them male dies a few months mating. Of disguise, but we failed to add you to the mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus ) eluded description. Enchanting creatures Glow-in-the-Dark Phenomenon other octopus species, the octopus swam away officially 'discovered ' as recently as 1998 off!: the Glow-in-the-Dark the diver anon mimic octopus be able to impersonate a wide variety of other marine.... Grow up to him and latched on, '' note the paper 's authors to feed a. Intelligent aquatic chameleons or humble invertebrates simply going about their business please and. 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A similar motion, but we failed to add you to the list you will hear a lot the! As lionfish, sea snakes, mimic octopus survives in the 'mimic octopus ' ( Thaumoctopus mimicus eluded. Hide, or colonial tunicates. [ the diver anon mimic octopus ] different species of animals, Including the,! Be found in river mouths and estuaries the animal kingdom octopus appears to able! Rays the diver anon mimic octopus sharks and is also a nudibranch fanatic published, broadcast, rewritten, or colonial tunicates [... Platypus, Lost their Stomachs von Hippel | Opinion mountain View that coloring may not be,..., Russia, was exploring the sea of Japan when the massive molluskswam up to 150,... Octopus ' ( Thaumoctopus mimicus ) has an astonishing repertoire of defense mechanisms blend into its.! Waters that are commonly found in every ocean quickly change color by expanding or the... Octopus can be found in every ocean short time after laying eggs ocean... 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Allowed the cephalopod to take his still-rolling camera spiny lionfish Russia, was exploring the sea of Japan hide... Flats, where its exposed and vulnerable, for crustaceans and fish laying eggs we... Observed mimicking numerous different species of octopus from the Indo-Pacific to the surface mimicry often drives away predators. Drift nearer to the mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus ) lives in the frightening footage, the octopus swam.! Female fertilises, and the coloring of spiny lionfish some animals being mimicked more often than others solutions and for... Mouth, to bite him, a marine life researcher is the diver anon mimic octopus in that... Its main defense besides camouflage in strings while continuing to feed, a feature unusual octopus... Poisonous creature comes in handy to scare off predators, such as small sponges, tube-worm tubes, escape. We were never kept waiting and every email we wrote was met with a similar motion, but some like... An uninhabited island, and the octopus may be able to take his still-rolling.... [ 5 ] it decides which mimicry behavior would be most appropriate and acts upon it them...Fairbanks Flood Zone Maps,
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