Another defense mechanism possessed by many octopi is the ability to change color,much like a chameleon. Most animals get their skin color from chemicals in the skin called chromatophores(melanin is one of these chromatophores). Chromatophores might contain yellow, orange, red, brown, or black pigments, and the amount of each pigment present in the skin determines an animal's color. While most animals are always the same color, some species of octopi can control the amount of each color pigment in their cells, allowing them to change color. Some poisonous octopi, when provoked, will change their skin to a bright, eye-catching color to warn predators that they are dangerous and ready to strike Other octopi use this ability to change their skin to the color and texture of seaweed coral. allowing them to blend in with their environment.