Octopus anatomy. Interesting facts about octopuses. Octopuses have a very short lifespan.

Features and habitat of the octopus

Octopus are benthic animals, represent the species cephalopods, are found exclusively in the water column, most often at great depths.

In the photo is an octopus may appear shapeless due to the rather soft short body of irregular oval shape and complete absence bones in the body.

The animal's mouth, equipped with two powerful jaws, is located at the base of the tentacles, the anus is hidden under the mantle, which looks like a dense wavy leather bag.

The process of chewing food takes place in the so-called "grater" (radula) located in the throat.

Pictured is the mouth of an octopus

Eight tentacles extend from the head of the animal, which are interconnected by a membrane. Each tentacle has several rows of suction cups on it.

Adults big octopuses can have a total of about 2000 suction cups on all "hands". In addition to the number of suction cups, they are also remarkable for their great holding force - about 100 g each.

Moreover, this is achieved not by sucking, as in the human invention of the same name, but exclusively by the muscular effort of the mollusk itself.

In the photo, the octopus suckers

The cardiac system is also interesting, since octopus has three hearts: the main thing ensures the permeability of blue blood throughout the body, the secondary ones push the blood through the gills.

Some species sea ​​octopus extremely poisonous, their bite can be fatal both for other representatives of the animal world and for humans.

Another notable feature is the ability to change the shape of the body (due to the lack of bones).

For example, taking the form of a flounder, octopus hiding on seabed , applying it both for hunting and for camouflage.

Also, the softness of the body allows giant octopus squeeze through small holes (several centimeters in diameter) and stay in a closed space whose volume is 1/4 of the size of the animal, without experiencing any inconvenience.

The octopus brain is highly developed, similar to a donut and is located around the esophagus. The eyes resemble human eyes in the presence of a retina, however, the retina of the octopus is directed outward, the pupil is rectangular.

Octopus tentacles extremely sensitive due to the huge number of taste buds located on them.

An adult can grow up to 4 meters in length, while representatives of the smallest species (Argonauto argo) in mature age grow only up to 1 centimeter.

In the photo, the octopus argonaut

Accordingly, depending on the type and length, the weight also differs - the largest representatives can weigh 50 kilograms.

Almost any octopus can change color, adapting to the environment and the situation, since cells with different pigmentation are present in the skin of the mollusk, which contract and stretch at the command of the central nervous system. The standard color is brown, when frightened it is white, in anger it is red.

Octopuses are quite widespread - they are found in all tropical and subtropical seas and oceans, from relatively shallow waters to a depth of 150 meters. For permanent places habitats choose rocky areas, like crevices and gorges.

Due to their wide distribution, octopuses are eaten by residents of many countries.

For example, in Japan, this outlandish animal is a common product that is used in the manufacture of many dishes, and is also eaten live.

Salted octopus meat is widespread in Russia. Also, for household purposes, namely for drawing, mollusk ink is used, which has an extreme durability and an unusual brown tint.

The nature and lifestyle of the octopus

Octopuses prefer to stay close to the seabed among algae and rocks. Juveniles love to hide in empty shells.

In the daytime, mollusks are less active, due to which they are considered to be nocturnal animals.

On hard surfaces with almost any slope, the octopus can move with ease thanks to its strong tentacles.

Often, octopuses use a swimming method in which the tentacles are not involved - they collect water into the cavity behind the gills and move, pushing it out with force.

When moving in this way, the tentacles reach behind the octopus. But, how whatever octopus swimming methods all of them have a common disadvantage - the animal moves slowly.

During the hunt, it is almost impossible for him to catch up with prey, which is why the octopus prefers to hunt from an ambush.

In the absence of a free crevice in the habitat for arranging a "house", octopuses choose any other "room", the main thing is that the entrance is narrower, and there is more free space inside.

Old rubber boots, car tires, crates and any other items found on the seabed can serve as houses for shellfish.

But, whatever the dwelling, the animal keeps it in strict cleanliness, removing garbage outside with the help of a directed stream of water.

In case of danger, octopuses seek to immediately hide and hide, releasing a small trickle of ink behind them, which are produced by special glands.

The ink hangs up as a slowly growing blot, which is gradually washed out by water.

There is another red herring octopuses against enemies: if one of the tentacles is grabbed, the mollusk can push it back with muscle effort.

The severed limb makes involuntary movements for some time, distracting the enemy.

The mollusks experience the cold season at great depths, returning to shallow water with the onset of warmth. They prefer a secluded life near other octopuses of the same size.

Thanks to the developed intellect of the octopus, it can be tamed, moreover, it will recognize the person who feeds it among other people.

Octopus food

Octopuses eat fish, small molluscs, crustaceans. Caribbean octopus grabs the victim with all hands, biting off small pieces.

Octopus paule absorbs food entirely, that is, depending on the species, the method of nutrition also differs.

Reproduction and life expectancy of an octopus

The female arranges a nest in a hole at the bottom, where a clutch of about 80 thousand eggs is laid. Then the nest is covered with shells, pebbles and algae.

The mother carefully monitors the eggs - ventilates them, removes the garbage, is constantly nearby, not even food being distracted, thus, by the time the babies appear, the female is extremely exhausted, or does not even live up to this time. Average duration life 1-3 years.

When we are told about the class of cephalopods, octopuses are the first to come to mind. Typical representatives live at the bottom of water spaces, but some of them inhabit the high layers of the seas and oceans. This inhabitant of large waters has always surprised ordinary people, since it has a ball-shaped body, long tentacles, a specific nose and great intelligence.

Interesting!

Many were interested in the question of how many hearts an octopus has. A small number of animals have three "life engines". Science includes in the squad all these cephalopods known species, from the smallest to colossal individuals.

Octopus structure

This animal has the ability to modify the shape of its body, since there are no bones in the structure of its body. Some cephalopods can disguise themselves as a flounder if necessary. These flexible creatures are able to settle in a very narrow and cramped place, the size of which is several times less body shellfish. They are able to hear a variety of sounds..

On a note!

Each octopus suction cup can hold up to 100 grams of weight. To keep an object on the tentacle, the marine animal must exert sufficient muscle force.

How do hearts work in an octopus?

Heart is a muscle, contracting at a certain speed in order to conduct blood throughout the cells of the body. The main disadvantage in the structure of the mollusk is that its gills are endowed with too much resistance. Nature has found a reasonable way out and endowed the cephalopod with three heart muscles to increase the coefficient of utility.

The main heart is large, and the other two, located near the gills, are somewhat smaller. All three muscles beat synchronously, and the beat frequency depends on the temperature of the water. Cold reduces the number of beats per minute. Blood has a blue color because it contains the enzyme hemocyanin with admixtures of copper.

Color and size of octopuses

The cephalopod has the ability to change the color of its body due to the various pigments in its skin, adjusting to the environment. Under the influence of the nervous system and the susceptibility of the animal, the spots can narrow or, conversely, stretch. Each emotion of the cephalopod is defined by a corresponding color: white - fear, red - anger, brown - calm state.

In nature, you can find centimeter or four-meter individuals. The weight of the largest representatives can reach 50 kg. There are rumors of incredibly large octopuses that are three times heavier than humans. The mollusk lives on average about two and a half years.

Octopus behavior and habitat

The mollusk prefers to live in the waters tropical climate... Depending on the species, some like shallow water, while others are more comfortable climbing deep. The octopus builds dwellings on rocky shores or inside natural caves. Since it has no bones, even a small gap can become suitable for resting during the day and hiding from predators. In the event that there are no rocks around the animal, he is able to make his own house from materials at the bottom of the ocean. In addition, the mollusk knows how to dig a deep hole in the ground, which it can then arrange to its taste.

To navigate the surface, octopus uses suction cups on tentacles. He can swim, taking water into the gill cavity, and then pushing it back with great effort. If we compare the speed of its movement with fish, then we can say that the octopus is a very slow creature. At the sight of danger, the octopus throws out streams of dark liquid in the direction of its pursuers, which are formed under the influence of special glands. This distracting cloud keeps a dense spot for a long time and suspends creatures that disturbed the octopus's peace.

The cephalopod goes hunting only at night. His diet includes small shellfish, various crayfish and a variety of fish. The octopus will feast on every inhabitant of the depths if you can handle it. Using a camouflage technique, a cunning octopus awaits prey at the bottom deep sea, and when she comes close, attacks. The octopus embraces its prey with all eight "arms". Having bitten the prey with its beak and letting a strong poison into it, the octopus dooms its dinner to certain death. The internal structure of the octopus allows it to easily grind paralyzed food.

Interesting!

Autotomy is a protective tool that certain types of creatures are endowed with. If the enemy grabs the octopus's "hand", there is a high probability that, together with the rupture of the muscles at the base of the tentacle, the tentacle itself will also come off ... Such a limb for a while continues to move and distract the attention of the predator.

The mind of animals and their ways of reproduction

Nests where the female lays ball-shaped eggs 10-20 pieces each, are located in dug holes, surrounded by stones and shells. The mother very carefully monitors the offspring, removing unnecessary objects and dirt with tentacles. The female loves her cubs so much that she cannot leave them for a minute and often dies of hunger after the small cephalopods have hatched from their eggs. This shows that the heart of an octopus is akin to a good human.

Our planet is inhabited by about 300 different types octopuses. They live in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. These animals are not found only in fresh waters... Their life expectancy is not long - 1-2 years. Individuals that have lived for 4 years are rare and are considered centenarians. The inhabitants of cold waters are much larger than their brothers from warm seas and oceans. The smallest eight-legged mollusks do not exceed one centimeter in length, and the largest Haliphron atlanticus grow up to four meters.

Octopuses are aristocrats by blood

Octopuses have blood blue... This is due to the fact that in their blood is saturated with copper... The red blood, inherent in man and many other creatures, makes the iron that is part of it.

Octopus heart affairs

Octopuses have a main heart and two minor ones. First and foremost, it drives blood throughout the body of the mollusk. The other two, at least, are responsible for pushing blood through the gills. Therefore, additional hearts are called branchial hearts.

Tentacles like a tasting organ

Octopuses use their tentacles not only to grab objects, but also to determine taste products. Each limb has ten thousand taste buds. And each suction cup can carry a load of 100 grams.

Phenomenal ability to regenerate

In case of danger, the octopus can independently deprive itself of one or more tentacles without unnecessary regrets. But he does not suffer from this, and after a short period of time the missing limb grows back and functions no worse than the previous one. This technique is very similar to the maneuvers of a lizard, throwing its tail. The octopus leaves a lonely limb to be torn apart by enemies, and in the meantime, what is urine escapes.

Octopuses are born actors

All octopuses easily change their color, disguising themselves as the environment. This is possible due to the presence of cells with different pigments in the body of the molluscs, which stretch or shrink depending on the situation. In normal condition, the octopus is brown in color. The frightened octopus turns pale, sometimes becoming completely white. The angry one, on the other hand, blushes, frightening the offender with a bright color. The color change is useful both when hunting and when playing hide and seek with stronger predators.

Octopuses of the species, in addition to changing color, can successfully imitate other underwater inhabitants. Thaumoctopus mimicus easily mimic jellyfish, rays or crabs.

Land octopus

Eight-legged mollusks breathe with gills under water, but short-term exposure to air does not harm them. They have a wonderful device in their bodies - a bag for storing water. He then helps them to survive the waterless period. Some types of octopuses on their own leave their familiar environment. Leaning on tentacles, they move on a hard surface in search of food in small puddles left after low tide. This technique is also effective if there is a likelihood of becoming a dinner for a stronger opponent. There are cases when cunning mollusks made their way into the holds of fishing vessels in order to feast on the fresh catch.

Mollusk with parrot beak

The body of the octopus is very soft and elastic. The only solid part is beak, very similar to the beak of a parrot. With this tool, like a hammer, the octopus breaks the crab's shell. Thanks to the flexibility of the body, the octopus can squeeze into narrow crevices in rocks and reefs. The only limiting factor is the nose. If he got through, then the whole octopus will slip into the hole.

Octopuses are pedants and neat

Octopuses are very responsible for cleaning their homes. Every day, they remove debris from their burrow using a stream of water that is released from the funnel of their body. They neatly put the remains of their vital activity in one place near their home, thus creating a stationary trash can for waste.

Octopuses are intellectuals

Octopuses are considered the most intelligent invertebrates. They recognize and become attached to their masters. After short training, they can distinguish shapes and colors. With constant contact with a person, they become completely tame.

Octopus - a keen eye

Octopuses have excellent eyesight... They see well both in the daytime and in the dark. The pupil of these molluscs is rectangular, like that of goats.

A blind octopus loses its ability to change color. Blinded in one eye, it changes its color only from the side of the healthy eye.

Floating inkwell

During the chase, the octopus throws a cloud of ink at the enemy, which completely disorients him. And while the enemy comes to his senses, the mollusk quickly leaves danger zone... The ink not only impairs the visibility of the attackers, but also knocks them off the trail due to a specific odor. In connection with this, further prosecution of the victim becomes impossible.

Mating games at a distance

Octopuses are wonderful animals, often the heroes of sea tales and myths. There are many legends about mutant octopuses and killer octopuses. However, these are only fictions. Most representatives of this species are not dangerous to humans and are themselves afraid of human society. Most big octopus was caught off the coast of the United States in 1945. Its weight was 180 kilograms and its length was 8 meters.

A more or less close acquaintance with octopuses became possible thanks to the appearance of high-quality scuba gear. So, with the help of a balloon with a breathing mixture and a wetsuit, a person learned that an octopus is a sensitive, timid creature and cannot stand unnecessary fuss.

Outwardly unattractive marine animal, which has 8 wriggling tentacles with hemispherical suction cups and sensitive antennae (cirrus) on its head, a short saccular body, a curved beak and cold unblinking eyes, has a well-developed nervous system... It is known that octopuses have high intelligence and an extraordinary sense of parental duty.

These representatives of cephalopods form two suborders: deep-sea octopuses (Cirrata) and true octopuses (Incirrata). The size of most octopuses does not exceed half a meter, only the common octopus, Apollyon, the Hong Kong octopus and Doflein are classified as large. Some species are poisonous. They live in subtropical and tropical seas and oceans, most often in coastal rocky zones. They feed on crustaceans, molluscs and fish. Octopuses breathe with gills, they can be out of the water for a short time.

The octopus tentacles are connected by a thin membrane, forming an umbrella when opened. The organs of touch are long, thin antennae, with the help of which the octopus octopus controls the space in front of it. Due to the lack of bones, the gelatinous, jelly-like animal easily changes shape, which helps it hide from predatory pursuers. In addition, the skin of an ordinary octopus contains a special pigment, with the help of which the monster changes color, adapting to environment... Because of the blue blood, which instead of hemoglobin contains hemocyanin and iron is replaced by copper, octopuses are often called "sea aristocrats." The animal has three hearts: the main thing drives blood through the body, and two gill gills push it through the gills. Octopus has big eyes with a rectangular pupil and a human-like lens.

Animals through the lens: Octopus (1982) (film)

The giant octopus attacked the operator / Animal attacks on people

Octopus: bizarre inhabitants of the deep sea

We will tell you about such an animal as an octopus, find out where it lives, what kind of life it leads, what it eats and other interesting facts that will get you closer to this sea inhabitant.

Sea animals, octopuses, prefer to live at the bottom of the seas and oceans and can exist exclusively in water. To survive in such conditions, there is a special flexible soft body with eight tentacles.

With the help of suction cups, he can move along the seabed, rocks and stones, grab prey.

Thanks to them, he is able to determine the edibility of a product - there are up to 10 thousand taste buds on the suction cups. Between the tentacles there is a mouth in the shape of a parrot's beak and is able to grind food.

The size of octopuses depends on their species and age. Its size can vary from 1 cm to 4 m in adults. The average life expectancy is 2 years. There are times when an animal has lived up to 4 years.

The mass can reach up to 50 kg. An octopus is an animal that has 3 hearts. One is basic, and the rest are intended for the gills, distilling blood. Octopuses are the most smart creatures among invertebrates.

There are over 200 species of octopuses. The closest relatives of molluscs are squid and cuttlefish. Due to the special pigment hemocyanin, the blood of octopuses is blue. The mollusk is able to change color and disguise itself as surrounding objects for the purpose of protection.

The base color is brown, but in critical situation takes color for the case. This is also an indicator of his condition. When a clam is scared, it becomes white, angry - red, and in a dream they turn yellow.

Octopuses are quite resistant to any climate, thanks to which they live all over the world, where there is salt water from 30%, except for the north. They prefer to live separately and not collide with relatives.

They reproduce 2 times a year, in autumn and spring, connecting by tentacles. A week later, the female can lay up to 80 thousand eggs, which will lie for up to 5 months until the cubs hatch.

They can live in shallow water and depths of up to 150 meters, but other species prefer deep water and can settle at a depth of 5000 m.

Octopuses prefer rocky terrain, settling in cracks and caves to live in. Marine animals try not to leave the shelter, lead a sedentary lifestyle and hunt near the dwelling. They are able to independently build a nest for themselves, where to hide from others. dangerous inhabitants depths, gathering together pebbles and corals.

Octopuses are nocturnal inhabitants and do not leave reefs during the day, getting out at night to forage for food. The diet includes plankton, fish, crayfish and other shellfish. They sleep with their eyes open and only their pupils constrict. There are species of octopuses that are active and mobile. In a dream, they spend time in motion and constantly move along the plane of the water.

Mollusks are able to fight for life to the last, trying to escape by any means. Their body is capable of doing unimaginable things in order to escape from the enemy:

1. They have a high speed of movement. In a period of danger, the body is capable of accelerating to 16 km / h. They are able to move backwards, thanks to the peculiarities of the structure of the body. Water enters under the head in the form of a bag and is jerked out from there under pressure, moving it over long distances.

2. With the help of a flexible and flexible body without bones, they can fit into the narrowest and most uncomfortable places where a predator cannot reach.

3. The octopus is capable of assuming any color, disguising itself as the surrounding area and other inhabitants of the seas and oceans, choosing the image that is most terrible to the enemy. Even when he is safe and calm, he is repainted to suit the environment to exclude the slightest possibility of being discovered.

4. They release chemical weapon in the form of a dark liquid, which discourages the enemy's scent and deprives of sight. The form of the released liquid has for some time the outline of the octopus itself.