Octopuses are one of the most interesting sea creatures. Name octopus is derived from a Greek language and it means eight-footed. There are over 200 species of octopuses and all of them live in oceans around the world, usually near the coral reefs. Octopuses are invertebrates, which mean that they are boneless.
Fast facts about Octopuses
1. All octopuses have head, called mantle, surrounded with 8 arms, called tentacles. All vital organs are located in their head.
2. Their colour and size is determined by their environment. Those that live in colder water will be much larger than those that live in tropical (warm) water.
3. Only hard structure in their body is beak which looks like a parrot beak. They use their beaks for eating.
4. They have 3 hearts and their blood is blue in colour.
5. They are the first invertebrates to be seen using tools, such as using coconut shells to hide from potential predators and using rocks and jets of water in a way that could be classified as tool use.
6. Octopuses can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible.
7. If predator grabs them for any tentacle, they will reject it. Soon after, new tentacle will grow.
8. Some octopuses produce very potent toxin that can stun the prey or hurt a man. Most dangerous octopus is blue-ringed octopus that can kill few people at once.
9. Male octopus will die few months after mating. Female will survive until her eggs hatch. She will die of starvation, because she will not eat three months (time needed for eggs to hatch).
10. Octopuses live from few months to few years, depending on the species.