Page 129 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

CARE OF EGGS Nothing will drag a mother octopus away from her precious eggs—not even an empty stomach. She keeps them clean by gently tending them with the tips of her arms and blowing fresh water over them from her funnel. It takes many weeks for them to hatch, during which time the mother can lose a third of her body weight. SENSING SUCKERS Each arm has two rows of cuplike suckers that can grip objects or prey. They are very sensitive to touch and taste and can sense if something is worth eating.

Eight long arms surround mouth at base

12–18 months 20 15 120,000–400,000 400,000 4 3

10 200,000 2 mm 2

5 1
months EGGS PER BROOD 0 SIZE OF EGG mm

LIFESPAN

SKIN COLOR When an octopus changes its mood, tiny drops of pigment in its skin expand and make it change color. This helps it blend in with its surroundings. STATS AND FACTS Thousands of baby octopuses start life floating in the sea but many won’t survive its dangers. In two months they sink to the bottom and must then grow up quickly. MAX. BROODING PERIOD 65 DAYS LIFE STORIES

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