Difference between revisions of "Octopus"
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| − | The '''Octopus''' is | + | The '''Octopus''' is one of a number of kinds of predatory marine [[cephalopod]] [[mollusc]]s, found in the warmer seas of the world. |
| − | [[Category: | + | Generally less actively swimming than their fellow cephalopods [[squid]] and [[cuttlefish]], octopuses have eight suckered [[tentacle]]s used for attachment to rocks and to prey. To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its tentacles, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water. |
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| + | Octopuses use [[chromatophore]]s to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, it can eject a cloud of ink to mask its escape. | ||
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| + | Octopuses are highly intelligent, and are capable of opening jars and solving simple puzzles. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures. | ||
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| + | Octopuses, having engulfed their prey in their arms, inject it with venom, and some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia are highly poisonous and are capable of killing a man with their bite. | ||
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| + | The existence of giant octopuses, on a scale similar to the [[giant squid]], has been suspected for many years, but no verified specimens have yet been captured. | ||
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| + | [[Category:Molluscs]] | ||
Revision as of 19:46, March 25, 2007
The Octopus is one of a number of kinds of predatory marine cephalopod molluscs, found in the warmer seas of the world.
Generally less actively swimming than their fellow cephalopods squid and cuttlefish, octopuses have eight suckered tentacles used for attachment to rocks and to prey. To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its tentacles, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water.
Octopuses use chromatophores to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, it can eject a cloud of ink to mask its escape.
Octopuses are highly intelligent, and are capable of opening jars and solving simple puzzles. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures.
Octopuses, having engulfed their prey in their arms, inject it with venom, and some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia are highly poisonous and are capable of killing a man with their bite.
The existence of giant octopuses, on a scale similar to the giant squid, has been suspected for many years, but no verified specimens have yet been captured.