We really don’t know how old Octopuses are! The oldest one dates years before the Triassic period. They are ancient; have enough controversial significance in several religions, and are probably one of the most intelligent creatures we can see on Earth.
Octopuses can understand complex situations, show signs of cognitive behaviour, and have mesmerising camouflaging effects.
They are Carnivores!
They come in varieties of appearances, and have distinct survival techniques.
In fact, it’s a long list to go on about all the characteristics of this high race of molluscs. But we won’t leave you unsatisfied.
Welcome to another amazing post from 2iL.org.
Here we will take a brief look inside the life of Octopuses, and try to chart out the way these beautiful creatures think and act!
We have outlined some of the most extra-ordinary Octopus facts:
To note: researches on Octopus species and their habitats are still going on in all parts of the world. Octopuses are studied for their behavioural patterns, genetics, gastronomical purposes, medicines, and other important aspects.
Octopuses have amazing problem solving capabilities:
It is believed that Octopuses do calculations and have logical reasoning abilities. There’s one popular experiment, where an Octopus is locked inside a glass jar with a cap at one end.
To our surprise, each octopus uses different techniques to escape from the jar.
Not only that, even the same octopus can figure out different ways to get out of the jar. The most common method that they use, is to turn the cap anti-clockwise.
To understand directions, the brain must understand logics. Octopus’s brain is practically saturated all across its body.
The tentacles function on their own, independently, without causing any hindrance to one another. So, an Octopus can at the same time use its tentacles for different tasks, simultaneously.
It is also not uncommon to witness Octopuses working out complex puzzles. They can map maze routes, and have extraordinary stealth attributes.
Most importantly, they have a strong memory and can easily remember the solutions to all problems that they have solved in the past.
They have interesting defence mechanisms:
Be it camouflaging mechanisms, or throwing ink towards attackers; Octopuses have always mesmerised us with their escape strategies and responses to threats.
Octopuses are invertebrates. With the absence of bones, they can literally squeeze through thin slits and cracks.
Their tentacles have suction cups, that easily stick onto any surface. They are good swimmers, climbers, movers, gliders, and any adjective fits in very well.
When attacked; these creatures eject a jet of toxic fluid, which stuns the attacker and causes temporary blindness.
Overall, Octopuses can blend into any environment, mimic other creatures, and have enough tactics to save themselves from an attack.
They can easily strangle their attackers to death.
They also have a beak, where the tentacles converge – at the center of their body, which is the only proper bone structure of their body.
They use the beak to eat and swallow food, and can also release venom with it.
Octopuses exhibit strange Courtship pattern:
If the word ‘wild’ exists, then it does because of Octopuses’ sexual behaviour.
When the male is aroused, it cuts off a part or whole of its mating arm; which in turn is then taken away by the female partner.
The female octopuses become extremely ferocious during the mating phase. The male octopus needs to be very careful while performing the act.
If angered or aroused too much, then the female Octopus can actually eat its male partner. This is the reason why the male octopuses maintain an arm’s distance while mating, and very often cuts off the tentacle for the female to take it away and complete the mating on her own.
Most of the times, the male octopus dies after mating, either due to the cutting down of the mating arm or because of sexual cannibalism and strangulation.
On the other hand, the female octopuses commit a self destructive suicide after laying eggs. The reasons have many theories.
One reason is probably the optical gland of female octopuses; which when removed, enables the female octopus to resume a normal life once again, post reproduction!
All these unique habits and characteristics truly make an Octopus stand out as one of the most amazing creatures.
What are your thoughts on Octopuses? Why do you find them amazing? Do you have other interesting infos to share?
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