The Amazing Octopus
As you might expect based on
its skills in camouflage and avoiding predators, the octopus possesses a
well-developed nervous system as well as complex sensory organs. Its eyes, for example, are similar to ours and possess an
iris, pupil, lens and retina. The octopus is excellent at spotting prey and
reaching to just the right spot to snag it.
In addition, an octopus's brain is proportionally as large as some
birds' and mammals' brains. It displays a high level of organization in order
to do things like coordinate all of the chromataphores' color changes. The
brain is only part of the story though. Three-fifths of the octopus's nerves
are distributed throughout its eight arms.
Octopus arms are incredibly strong and flexible. Made almost entirely of
muscle, the arms possess the strength to wrestle sharks and to break
through Plexiglas. And without those pesky bones and joints (like ours) to
limit movement, the arms have an almost infinite range of motion. And yet the
octopus can even mimic a human arm by making its arms semi-rigid and bending
them in precise places.
In addition, recent research suggests those arms may have minds of their
own. Studies indicate that octopus arms each have their own independent nervous
system.
It turns out the brain may simply
delegate orders, while the arm is responsible for deciding exactly how to
execute the order. Essentially this means that the brain can give a quick
assignment to the arm and then not have to think about it anymore. Scientists
tested this by severing the nerves in the arms from other nerves in the body
and brain and then tickling the arms. Amazingly, the arms responded to the
tickling just as they would in a healthy octopus.
Octopuses use their limbs for everything from hunting
to mating. And, did you know that the seemingly lethargic octopus can actually
reach speeds of 25 mph (40 kph)? .
Other interesting facts
1. An octopus has three hearts, nine brains, and blue blood. Two hearts
pump blood to the gills, while a third circulates it to the rest of the body.
The nervous system includes a central brain and a large ganglion at the base of
each arm which controls movement. Their blood contains the copper-rich protein
hemocyanin, which is more efficient than hemoglobin for oxygen transport at
very low temperatures and low oxygen concentrations.
2. A 50-pound octopus can squeeze through a hole only 2 inches in
diameter. If their beak fits, they can get through.
3. They are about 90 percent muscle.
4. Female octopus can wait until months after mating to fertilize the eggs.
5. An average female Giant Pacific Octopus in Alaska can lay 90,000 eggs.
6. Octopus frequently lose an arm to predators, but they grow back.
7. All species of octopus have venom. The venom of the Giant Pacific Octopus is not dangerous to humans, but Australia’s blue-ringed octopus is known as one of the most poisonous marine animals—its venom is deadly to humans.
8. Octopus actually have shells similar to clams and snails. There is a pair of small, spike-shaped structures called stylets inside the octopus’ body that are a vestigial shell—meaning it really has no function.
9. It is tempting to use “octopi” as the plural of “octopus”, but DON’T DO IT. “Octopi” would be a proper Latin plural, but the word “octopus” has a Greek, rather than a Latin, root. The correct use is to use the word “octopus” to refer to one or several individuals of a single species; use the plural “octopuses” only when talking about multiple species.
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The article was posted by: Top
Trending / JENNIFER HORTON
Original title: How
Octopuses Work / An Octopus has 3 Hearts, 9 Brains & Blue Blood
