Octopuses are highly intelligent creatures, arguably more intelligent than any other mollusk. They can manipulate objects, solve complex problems, and communicate with other species, leading some researchers to speculate that they may be extraterrestrial in origin.
Approximately 300 species of octopus have been discovered by scientists in the vast ocean world. This soft-bodied invertebrate harbors many fascinating traits that continue to astonish researchers.
1. Octopuses belong to the order Octopoda, with a soft body structure similar to that of squids. Their bodies are boneless and lack a hard outer shell, allowing them to easily squeeze through small crevices in the ocean floor. The only hard part of an octopus is its beak, located beneath its head and between its eight arms.
2. An octopus’s appearance resembles a dome or an inverted bowl resting atop a large pile of tentacles. However, what we commonly refer to as the head of an octopus is actually its body, which houses all essential internal organs, including three hearts: two pump blood to the gills, while one circulates blood throughout the body.
3. The blood of octopuses is light blue.
4. Octopuses have excellent eyesight, but unfortunately, they are deaf.
5. Among all marine creatures, octopuses are classified as the most intelligent animals. Their nervous system is quite complex, with more than two-thirds of their neurons located in the nerves of their tentacles. The tentacles exhibit complex reflexes controlled by at least three levels of their nervous system.
6. The suckers on an octopus’s tentacles function like suction cups, allowing them to grip prey while also helping the octopus assess the terrain and shape of surfaces they cling to.
7. An octopus can regenerate lost arms.
8. Octopus species prefer to flee rather than confront their enemies. They can fill their bodies with water and expel it at high speed, creating a jet propulsion effect that propels them away from threats. Their speed can reach up to 25 km/h.
9. Scientists have discovered that octopuses possess short-term and long-term memory. They can distinguish shapes and mimic the actions of observed objects. Their escape abilities are extraordinary; some fishermen have failed to catch octopuses sneaking aboard their boats to feast before disappearing without a trace.
10. However, the lifespan of an octopus is very short, typically around 2 years, with some species living only 6 months. Only the giant Pacific octopus can live up to 5 years in ideal conditions.
11. Scientists believe that the life cycle of octopuses is somewhat similar to that of salmon. They cannot survive long after mating. Males typically die a few months after transferring their sperm packet to females. Female octopuses live longer to protect their eggs.
Interestingly, octopuses have a unique mating mechanism. Males create a sperm packet and transfer it to females through a specialized arm. As it enters the female’s body, the arm expands, allowing for efficient transfer of sperm, potentially eliminating the chance of competitor offspring.
12. Like chameleons, octopuses have the ability to change their body color to blend in with their surroundings, providing excellent camouflage against predators. Additionally, octopuses can expel ink when threatened, creating a dark cloud that obscures their escape.
13. Octopuses are nocturnal hunters, with a diet primarily consisting of crabs, mollusks, and shrimp.
14. Female octopuses can lay up to 150,000 eggs within two weeks. The females do not hunt during this time, focusing solely on protecting their eggs. This results in the unfortunate fate of the hatchlings, as their mothers often die from starvation and lack of nutrients after such intense periods of care.
15. A newly hatched octopus is about the size of a flea.
16. The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most venomous marine animals in the world: it can kill you with just one bite.
17. Octopuses move by crawling or swimming, but their primary mode of movement is crawling.
