Octopus: The Oceans Intelligent Invertebrate by Jennifer A. MatherThe visually arresting and often misunderstood octopus has long captured popular imagination. With an alien appearance and an uncanny intellect, this exceptional sea creature has inspired fear in famous lore and legends—from the giant octopus attack in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Ursula the sea witch in The Little Mermaid. Yet its true nature is more wondrous still. After decades of research, the authors reveal a sensitive, curious, and playful animal with remarkable intelligence, an ability to defend itself with camouflage and jet propulsion, an intricate nervous system, and advanced problem-solving abilities.
In this beautifully photographed book, three leading marine biologists bring readers face to face with these amazingly complex animals that have fascinated scientists for decades. From the molluscan ancestry of todays octopus to its ingenious anatomy, amazing mating and predatory behaviors, and other-worldly relatives, the authors take readers through the astounding life cycle, uncovering the details of distinctive octopus personalities. With personal narratives, underwater research, stunning closeup photography, and thoughtful guidance for keeping octopuses in captivity, Octopus is the first comprehensive natural history of this smart denizen of the sea.
Octopus Facts - Animals of the Ocean
The octopus is a marine mollusk and a member of the class Cephalopoda, more commonly called cephalopods. A ring of eight equally-long arms surround the head. They use their arms to "walk" on seafloor. The undersides of the arms are covered with suction cups that are very sensitive to touch and taste. The sack-like body is perched atop the head, which has two complex and sensitive eyes, while the mouth is on the underside.
All rights reserved. Other octopus species live in deep, dark waters, rising from below at dawn and dusk to search for food. Crabs , shrimps , and lobsters rank among their favorite foods, though some can attack larger prey, like sharks. Octopuses typically drop down on their prey from above and, using powerful suctions that line their arms, pull the animal into their mouth. The octopus performs its famous backward swim by blasting water through a muscular tube on the body called a siphon. Seals , whales , and large fish prey on octopuses. If threatened, octopuses shoot an inky fluid that darkens the water, confusing the aggressor.
Oceans—plagued by rising temperatures, depleted fish populations, to calculate how much fishers catch over a given time period—a more.
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Octopus Steals Crab From Fisherman - Super Smart Animals - BBC Earth
Then check out our awesome octopus facts! Octopuses are sea animals famous for their rounded bodies , bulging eyes and eight long arms. However, there are some kinds of octopus that live in relatively shallow waters. Other octopus species live in deep, dark waters, and rise from below at dawn and dusk to search for food. They perform their famous backward swim by blasting water through a muscular tube on their body called a siphon. When going for grub, octopuses typically drop down on their prey from above, and then use the powerful suctions that line their arms to pull their victim into their mouth. Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable octopus primary resource?
The octopus is a soft-bodied, eight- limbed mollusc of the order Octopoda. Around species are recognised, and the order is grouped within the class Cephalopoda with squids , cuttlefish , and nautiloids. Like other cephalopods, the octopus is bilaterally symmetric with two eyes and a beak , with its mouth at the center point of the eight limbs " tentacle " is used as an umbrella term for cephalopod limbs; however, within a teuthological context; "arm" is used to refer to such limbs while "tentacle" is reserved for feeding appendages not found on octopuses. The soft body can rapidly alter its shape, enabling octopuses to squeeze through small gaps. They trail their eight appendages behind them as they swim. The siphon is used both for respiration and for locomotion , by expelling a jet of water. Octopuses have a complex nervous system and excellent sight, and are among the most intelligent and behaviourally diverse of all invertebrates.
All rights reserved. Nothing about the hundreds of octopus moms on the video feed from the submersible Alvin looked right. The research vessel was exploring a rocky outcrop about 1. See our most beautiful octopus pictures. With Voight's help, Hartwell identified the plentiful cephalopods as part of the genus Muusoctopus— and possibly even a species new to science.