Octopus "Legs" are Really Called "Tentacles"
The Octopus--this alien-like, multi-tentacled creature caught my attention when I was a kid watching Jacques Cousteu's presentation on it many years ago. The animal--a cousin of the shell-fish phylum, Mollusca--is closely related to squids, cuttlefish, and the chambered nautilus. As such, it's one of the rare members of the Mollusca phylum that can swim--with jet-like speed to boot!
There are more than 300 species of octopus--which makes up more than a third of all of the Cephalopod class. Except for a few species in the suborder, Cirrina--which has two fins and an internal shell--octopus of the order Octopoda have no hard parts in their bodies other than their parrot-like beak.
Contents at a Glance
- Squirmy Escape Artists--These Critters are Masters at Getting Out of Tight Spaces!
- Octopuses Are Extremely Intelligent--But Not Enough To Read These!
- Most are Gentle, Some are Dangerous--But If You Respect Them, You'll Do Fine!
Squirmy Escape Artists--These Critters are Masters at Getting Out of Tight Spaces!
Octopuses Are Extremely Intelligent--But Not Enough To Read These!
Large Pacific Octopus
This soft 7-inch PVC octopus will inspire hours of more...0 points
Giant Octopus 36" Stuffed Animal - by Fiesta
This 36-inch monster from the deep is sure to spar more...0 points
Most are Gentle, Some are Dangerous--But If You Respect Them, You'll Do Fine!
The venom contains tetrodotoxin (a nerve poison also found in pufferfish and cone shells), in addition to hyaluronidase, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine, octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, taurine, acetylcholine, and dopamine. The tetrodotoxin, which is created by bacteria in the salivary glands of the octopus, blocks the body's sodium channels, and causes motor paralysis and respiratory arrest--with the resulting cardiac arrest.
The only treatment for a victim of blue-ring octopus bite is immediate and full-time respiratory support cardio-pulmonary resuscitation--CPR)--even if the victim does not seem to be responding. This type of poisoning results in the victim being fully aware of their surroundings but, because of paralysis, unable to breathe. The victims have no way to respond or signal for help or indicate distress--so, continual respiration should be administered until further medical assistance and a respirator can be used to give further continual assistance until the paralysis subsides.
If the victim can survive the first 24 hours, a recovery to eventual normality is possible.
You Wouldn't Expect an Octopus to Take Out a Shark--But This Video Proves It Can Happen!
Shark vs Octopus
Think you know the outcome when its shark versus octopus? Think again! See more National Geographic videos: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/?source=4001
Decorating or Wearing Octopus!
Octopus - Dark T-Shirt
This product features a scientific illustration from Ernst Haeckel 's book 'Kunstformen der Natur' or 'Art Forms in Nature', depicting an octopus.
Camouflage Specialists--The Octopus!
Octopus can also shoot out jets of ink to form a camouflage cloud that blinds their enemies long enough for the octopus to change directions and scoot away before the visibility in the water returns. This ink also dulls other animals sense of smell--and since many predators, such as sharks, rely on their sense of smell--this is a very effective deterrent to predators.
Many octopus species have camouflage aided by specialized skin cells, called chromatophores, which can change their apparent color, opacity, and reflectiveness. This color-changing ability is used to communicate with or warn other octopuses. The very venomous blue-ringed octopus becomes bright yellow with blue rings when it is provoked.
Underwater Creature Camouflage
Learn how denizens of the deep stay hidden and mimic other creatures. http://www.ngcwild.com/?source=4003
Get Your Tentacles On This Great Stuff!
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Octopus With Camouflage, Attacking Birds, and Just Plain Weird!
INVISIBLE OCTOPUS
Nightmarish Octopus
Octopus vs. Bird
Good Stuff On Octopus!
Hey... Drop a Tentacle and Write a Note!
naturegirl7 wrote...
Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
Posted December 05, 2008
Classic wrote...
Now, here is one for a true SQUIDOO-er! Thanks for submitting your great lens to my group Nature and Environment! 5 starzzz
Posted January 05, 2008
by EditorDave
Living on Guam is what now "defines" me. It was such a dramatic difference in my life and outlook on things that there's no way I'd be the same...
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