Octopus

Yummy food! Interesting creature…

‘Octopuses’, the plural form of ‘octopus’, also called ‘octipi’ or ‘octopodes’, have also be known as ‘devilfish’, and are from the mollusc family, octopod, and grow from 5 cm (2 inches) to 10 metres (32 feet) in length, depending on the species.
Octopuses live in the ocean, in rocky, protected areas close to the seabed, and spend their time in dens when they are resting.
There are over 200 species of octopuses, all of which are venomous, although they are not dangerous to humans, except for the deadly Blue-Ringed Octopus as its venom can be fatal.
Octopuses squirt ink to confuse and hide from their predators, and the colour of the ink comes from melanin, the same colouring agent in human hair and skin.
Octopuses have eight arms, hence the name ‘octo’pus, that hang behind them when swimming, although they often ‘walk’ on them, and on each arm they usually have suction cups or suckers that enable them to feel and taste.

Octopuses live for as long as six months to five years, depending on the species, and usually die a few months after mating.
An octopus has three hearts, two to pump blood to its gills, and one to pump blood around its body, and they have no skeleton, which allows them to squeeze into tight places and escape from predators.
Octopuses have been observed playing with toys, using tools, escaping tanks and boarding ships, and sometimes they decorate the entrance to their den with shells, rocks and other interesting things they can find.
Octopuses can change body colour to blend into their surroundings, due to their skin cells containing a colour changing pigment called chromatophores, which can be coloured yellow, red, brown, black, or orange.
Octopuses have a retractable parrot-like beak that they use to eat their prey, which can include crabs, molluscs, crayfish, worms, and small fish.