Ask Me Everything7

FAST FACTS

Why is an

octopus so spineless?

Octopuses belong to a group of animals called mollusks that have no backbone. Although they are spineless, octopuses are able to take care of themselves—they don’t need shells to protect them like some other mollusks. They’ve got big brains, lightning reflexes, and all types of special tricks.

WHATS IN A NAME?

Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and nautiluses make up a group known as the cephalopods, which means “head-foot.” They have a distinct head circled by limbs—tentacles or arms.

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Chromatophores: Are tiny cells filled with Chemicals that allow the octopus to change its skin color

V

[Home sweet home

01: Octopuses live on their own and spend a lot of time in their dens.

02: Octopus dens are often in underwater caves or in crevices in coral reefs.

03: Octopuses have also madę dens in sunken ships, empty seashells, and even old cans and bottles.

04: Some mother octopuses do not eat, so they don’t have to leave their dens.

05: Octopuses are very house proud—they move around rocks and shells to make a better shelter.

06: Some octopuses have two dens—one near good hunting and another for eating in.

Super-smart

Otopuses in captivity have proved over and over again how brainy they are:

They can reach out of their tank to help themselves to food containers.

They can find their way through complicated underwater mazes.

They can use their arms to unscrew the lid of a jar and take out a treat to eat.

They “play” at tossing smali toys and catching them again.

They have personalities. Some like to be stroked, while others prefer to be left alone.

Reflecting cells:

Pick up on nearby light, helping the octopus to match its surroundings

Suckers: Work independently, so each can send messages to the brain

Cephalopod family

Very intelligent, eight-armed cephalopods that are mostly found in shallower waters, especially coral reefs. The largest species weigh morę than 165 Ib (70 kg).

Cephalopods with eight arms and two tentacles or, in some species, ten long arms. The body is supported by a feathery structure called the pen.

Cuttlefish

120 species Cephalopods with eight arms and two tentacles, known for changing color. They have an internal Shell, the cuttlebone, and are up to 9.8 in (25 cm) long.

A

Sensors: On the

suckers can touch, taste, and smell

Nautilus

6 species

Cephalopods with an external Shell and up to 90 suckerless tentacles. They have relatively weak eyesight but live long lives (up to 20 years).

(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.