Page 79 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Octopuses

5

14 species of dumbo OCTOPUS
octopus hunt worms
four kilometres (2.5
miles) below sea level FACTS

1>Armoured ancestors

The first octopus-like creatures
were ensconced in shells. These
disappeared throughout the
Jurassic and Cretaceous periods,
though the octopus relative nautilus
still has its shell today.
2>Extreme size

The largest octopus can grow to
five metres (16 feet) and weigh
50 kilograms (110 pounds). The
smallest is named octopus wolfi,
and it’s less than 2.5 centimetres
(one inch) long.
3>Muted mating

© Wiki Public Domain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Male octopuses hand over a packet
of genetic material that a female
then places into a specialised cavity
in her body. Males then die soon
after mating.
4>Heart of the gills

Two of an octopus’ three hearts
are tasked with pumping blood
exclusively through the gills, while
DUMBO OCTOPUS
Grimpoteuthis the third is responsible for the rest
Lifespan Unknown of the organs.
Adult weight Unknown
5>Why not octopi?
Conservation status
The pleural of octopus is not
LEAST CONCERN octopi. While second-declension
Latin words are made plural by
adding an ‘i’ at the end, ‘octopus’ is
Greek and so requires ‘es’.
Octopus predators

Large fish, birds and whales prey upon
octopuses, as do dolphins and eels. It’s
possible that carnivores like these turn to
eight-armed prey when other species are
scarce. Even with so many animals on the
octopus’ tail, it doesn’t give up without
a fight. It flees at top speed and spurts
ink to cloud the vision of its attacker. If
chased they might squeeze into a tight
cavity, contorting their boneless bodies to
evade danger.
Around two-thirds of octopuses are
obliterated by predators within the first
few weeks of life. Octopuses produce up
to 200,000 eggs at a time to maximise
the chances that at least a few will
survive, and mothers attend their eggs
In 2007, an octopus
for months without eating and pass away was recorded tending
shortly after they hatch. Young octopuses and protecting her
eggs for 53 months
are small and defenceless, and are eaten
© Thinkstock before her demise
by fish, birds and other marine hunters.

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