News Animals Octopus sleep includes a frenzied, colorful, ‘active’ stage Cephalopod snoozing is mostly quiet with brief bursts of REM-like activity During a brief bout of active sleep, this octopus in the lab blushes deep red. Sylvia Medeiros By Laura Sanders March 25, 2021 at 11:00 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Octopuses cycle through two stages of slumber, a new study reports. First comes quiet sleep, and then a shift to a twitchy, active sleep in which vibrant colors flash across the animals’ skin.