The Octopuses Are marine animals, invertebrates and carnivores that along their entire body have eight long arms, full of suckers, similar to suction cups. Octopuses, scientifically and formally, are called as octopod animals.
These marine animals can be found in all the oceans of the world and lack an external shell that protects their body from external agents.
Octopus tetricus
The octopus is an animal that can have a size of 15 centimeters or reach up to 6 meters in length. Also, its weight can vary, but the maximum is in the 70 kilograms.
Octopus does not pose any danger to humans; In fact, its habitat is at the bottom of the sea. However, there is a species called Hapalochlaena, better known as the octopus of the blue rings, which is capable of causing the death of a person in a short time.
On the other hand, there are different dishes that can be prepared with this animal, becoming quite popular in recent years, being a species sought and coveted gastronomically.
There are different characteristics that differentiate this animal from other molluscs and are interesting to know.
Featured octopus characteristics
1- Blue blood
Unlike humans and other animals, octopuses have blue blood. This is due to the fact that they do not have hemoglobin (the molecule responsible for transporting oxygen and that it confers the red color); On the contrary, they possess hemocyanin and for that reason, their appearance looks blue.
2- Particular anatomy
These animals, besides having eight tentacles, have an interesting structure throughout their body.
They have an elongated head that joins with their extremities, the head includes the eyes, this being one of the most developed senses in the octopods.
In fact, these animals are completely deaf, but they can differentiate colors and different images.
In addition, in its head the brain is located: in charge of facilitating the coordination and to allow the mobility of its eight arms.
Also, the octopus has three hearts, located in the upper part of its body. Each of these bodies has a specific and important function; Two of them, are responsible for bringing oxygen-free blood to the bronchi (place where gas exchange occurs).
The other heart, on the other hand, carries the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body of the octopus, contributing to its correct functioning and resembling a little to the functions performed by the human heart.
3- Chameleons in the water
Another of the most interesting features regarding octopuses is that they can camouflage easily and thus, go unnoticed when they feel threatened. He is one of the animals that does an excellent job in terms of camouflage.
The octopods not only have the ability to adopt a color similar to the one in their environment, but they can take several elements and apply them to their own body, including textures, being able to even imitate other animals.
4- Thousands of eggs
This species has the capacity to get to reproduce by putting up to a thousand eggs at a time, causing different negative aspects, for example, the female loses too much energy carrying out and incubating its eggs.
However, from the positive side, it has been shown that this allows the species to survive different changes in their habitat, in addition to the threat they currently live, wanting to be hunted by men for their food.
5- Independent Tentacles
Although all tentacles are attached to your small brain and have the ability to move in tune, each of your limbs can also make a different movement.
This is because each of your arms has different neurons that allow you to move at your convenience.
6- Mating and reproduction
It is primordial to mention that the octopuses are animals that only reproduce once in his life, being classified like semelparos.
When the mating season begins, a game also begins between the male octopus and the female octopus. The most frequent is to see them changing color and making different movements with their body.
It is the third tentacle on the right side of the male which reacts as a reproductive organ and is introduced into the sewer of the female, depositing the eggs that will load the latter.
During the month of its development and waiting for the small octopuses to be born, the mother worries that other predators will not stalk and is so preoccupied that she forgets to feed herself. That is why when octopi are born, the mother dies.
7- Intelligence
Scientific studies have shown that octopuses are animals with impressive intelligence.
Octopuses are the most intelligent invertebrates, thanks to the neurons spread across all their tentacles have the ability to solve problems.
In addition, they have a well developed nervous system that allows them to memorize different patterns (especially of poisonous animals), useful when camouflaging.
Likewise, all their knowledge of survival is acquired by themselves, because their mother dies once they are born.
8- Food
The octopods are carnivorous animals and more voracious than you can imagine. Normally they are wandering, looking to devour mussels, clams or crabs.
Thanks to the radula, structure present in all molluscs, attached to their tentacles, are able to open any shell.
9- Strong Muscles
Although they do not have spines or bones, they have a very strong and powerful structure.
Throughout his life they develop many muscles that give him the ability to fight with other marine animals. This leads them to survive, despite having a kind of disadvantage.
10- Shyness
Octopuses are rather shy animals that constantly prefer to be hiding in a cave or any marine structure that is able to protect them, camouflage during the day and go hunting at night. All this in order to go unnoticed and avoid exposing yourself to danger.
References
- Altman, J. S. (1966). The behavior of octopuis vulgaris Lam. In its natural habitat: a pilot study. Recovered from: um.edu.mt
- Beltrán Guerra, J. A. State of the art on the nervous system of the octopus from the perspective of human morphology (Doctoral dissertation, National University of Colombia). Recovered from: bdigital.unal.edu.co
- Cousteau, J. Y., & Diolé, P. (1973). Octopus and squid, the soft intelligence. Recovered from: agris.fao.org
- Hochner, B., Shomrat, T., & Fiorito, G. (2006). The octopus: a model for a comparative analysis of the evolution of learning and memory mechanisms. The Biological Bulletin, 210 (3), 308-317. Retrieved from: journals.uchicago.edu
- Mather, J.A., & Anderson, R.C. (1993). Personalities of octopuses (Octopus rubescens). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 107 (3), 336. Retrieved from: http://psycnet.apa.org
- Mather, J.A., & Anderson, R.C. (2000). Octopuses are smart suckers. The cephalopod page. Retrieved June, 15, 2001. Retrieved from: manandmollusc.net
- Tello-Cetina, J., San-Uc, G., Castillo-Cua, K., & Santos-Valencia, J. GENETIC STRUCTURE OF OCTOPUS MAYA ON THE COAST OF THE STATE OF CAMPECHE. Second Symposium on Knowledge of Coastal Resources in Southeast Mexico., 42 (41.6667), 48. Retrieved from: researchgate.net.