Origin
Octopus (plural octopatite) is a cephalopoda mollusc that belongs to the order Octopoda. Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms.
Compared to other cephalopods, the arms of the octopus are arranged symmetrically bilaterally.
Its mouth is located in the middle of the tentacles. Their bodies lack bone structure which allows them to pass through tight places. Octopuses are by far the most intelligent invertebrate animals.
They can be found in various parts of the ocean, including coral reefs, among algae or on the ocean floor.
They have numerous strategies to defend themselves against predators: spreading ink in the water, camouflaging, swimming fairly quickly and the ability to hide.
All octopuses are venomous, but only one species is dangerous to humans: the blue-ringed octopus.
There are around 300 recognized species of octopus, or one third of the total number of cephalopods.
Feeding Octopus
The octopus feeds on small octopuses, clams, snails, fish, turtles, crustaceans (for example shrimp) and other octopuses.
They catch prey with their arms and kill it by paralyzing it with poison and then consume their flesh. Octopuses usually hunt at night.
Only the blue-ringed octopus has the poison so powerful to kill a man. Some larger species hunt birds, sharks, and other animals.
Appearance Octopus
Octopuses are well-known for their eight cupping arms (most species). They are used for locomotion and feeding.
Unlike other cephalopods, octopuses have soft flesh throughout the body and no skeleton. They do not have external protection, such as carapace, scales, spines, etc.at the bottom you can see a beak similar to that of a parrot, the only rigid part of the body.
The lack of rigid masses allows them to sneak through very narrow slits or through Stones, which is very useful when fleeing from predators.
They live both in deep sea habitats, as well as in coral reefs and smaller waters.
Octopuses have three hearts, two that pump blood through each of the two gills and one that pumps blood into the body. Octopus blood is rich in copper and this helps transport oxygen.
Although copper is normally more inefficient than iron, under low temperature conditions copper-based oxygenation (if you can say so) is more efficient.
Like mollusks, octopuses have gills that are divided and vascularized internally on the outer surface of the body.
These animals have an extremely complex nervous system and only one part is located in the brain. Two-thirds of the neurons are found in his arms.
The tentacles exhibit a series of complex reflexes that move independently and have no connection with the brain. Unlike vertebrates it is believed that locomotor movement is not commanded by the brain.
Common octopuses are between 15 and 75kg in weight with arm lengths of over 4m. there are also record specimens, there are records of a specimen weighing 272kg and having a tentacle of 9m.
Behavior Octopus
Octopuses have a short life span. Some live less than 6 months, and larger species such as the Pacigic giant octopus can live up to 5 years.
Reproduction is fatal, males live a maximum of a few months after mating, and females shortly after the chicks hatch. They (females) do not feed for a month, from laying eggs to the exit of the chicks.
Endocrine secretions from the two glands are the cause of death, but even if they were surgically removed the octopus would die because it could no longer feed and starve.
Octopuses are very intelligent animals, probably the most intelligent invertebrates. Biologists have developed a labyrinth for capacity observation and experiments have shown that it can store information both in the short and long term.
A dilemma remained regarding the Baby Octopus, although they spend very little time with their parents and do not seem to learn very much, they have a fairly rich knowledge base.
The octopus is the only invertebrate that has proven it can use tools. A few species, such as the Mimic octopus have a defense system in addition to the rest of the octopuses: they take the form of other more dangerous marine mammals such as sea lions, sea snakes, angiles. Have an excellent tactile feel.
The best defense of an octopus is to hide, not to be seen or detected. If the first defense failed he still has a few "aces up his sleeve".
As alternative methods of defense we can distinguish bags from ink, camouflage or autoamputation. Like spiders or lizards and octopuses, they can leave their predator one tentacle or more.
Most octopuses remove a large blackish cloud of ink that helps them escape the predator. This ink has as its main agent melanin, the same substance that gives color to human hair or skin.
Camouflage is aided by skin cells that can change the apparent color or opacity. Skin pigments contain colors such as yellow, orange, red, brown, black, etc.some octopuses have two or four pigments, others have reflective cells.
Camouflage can be used for communication with other octopuses or warning.
Octopus Reproduction
During breeding males use a tentacle called hectocotylus to insert seminal fluid into the cavity in the female's mantle. Hectocotylus is usually the third right arm.
Males die a few months after mating. In some species, if needed, the female may hold the seminal fluid for up to four weeks until the eggs develop.
After being fertilized, the female lays about 200,000 eggs. After laying the eggs are permanently guarded by predators. Periodically let a wave of water pass to oxygenate the eggs.
The female does not hunt for almost a month and in extreme cases eats its tentacles. After this period, when the chicks begin to emerge from the eggs she leaves and is vulnerable to attacks.
