The Insane Biology Of The Blanket Octopus

Summary

Blanket octopuses are unique marine creatures with distinctive fleshy sheets between their arms, used for defense against predators. They inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, displaying remarkable sexual size dimorphism with males being significantly smaller than females. These octopuses exhibit intelligence, immunity to certain toxins, and a fascinating mating ritual where males sacrifice themselves post-copulation. They also have a circulatory system with three hearts, and their blood contains hemocyanin, giving it a blue color and allowing efficient oxygen transport in cold depths.

Takeaways

• 🐙 The blanket octopus is unique among its family, with fleshy sheets between its arms that resemble a blanket when spread out.
• 🌊 These octopuses use their 'blankets' as a defense mechanism against predators, either to scare them away or to entangle them, allowing the octopus to escape.
• 🔍 The oldest known ancestor of the octopus, a 330-million-year-old fossil named 'Selipsima', suggests that the octopus lineage is older than previously thought and predates dinosaurs.
• 🌐 Blanket octopuses are found in tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, around Australia, and in New Zealand waters.
• 🕳️ They prefer to live in coral reefs and ocean floors, often hiding in small crevices and rock bottoms.
• 👥 Male and female blanket octopuses exhibit extreme sexual size dimorphism, with males being only an inch long and females growing up to six feet.
• 🦐 The mating process of blanket octopuses is intriguing, where males detach a specialized arm containing sperm, which the female then uses for fertilization.
• 🧠 Blanket octopuses are highly intelligent, capable of using tools, changing color for camouflage, and even utilizing the tentacles of the venomous Portuguese man o' war for defense.
• 🌡️ These octopuses can survive in varying water temperatures and are known to be nomadic, changing their habitat every 10 to 14 days.
• 💙 They have a unique circulatory system with three hearts and blue blood due to the presence of hemocyanin, which is efficient in cold conditions.

Q & A

What is unique about the appearance of blanket octopuses compared to other octopuses?

Blanket octopuses have fleshy sheets stretched between their arms, which resemble a blanket when spread out, hence their name. This is a unique morphological feature compared to other octopuses.

How do blanket octopuses use their 'blankets' for defense?

When threatened, blanket octopuses stretch their arms out to create a silhouette that can scare away predators. If this fails, they can detach the 'blankets' to entangle predators, allowing them to escape.

What is the significance of the 330-million-year-old fossil named 'Selipsima'?

The fossil 'Selipsima' is considered the oldest known ancestor to the octopus, suggesting that the octopus lineage is older than previously believed and predates dinosaurs.

In what regions are blanket octopuses commonly found?

Blanket octopuses are found in tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, off the coast of Australia, and in the waters of New Zealand.

What is the difference in size between male and female blanket octopuses?

Male blanket octopuses grow barely up to an inch, while females can grow up to six feet in length, showcasing a significant sexual size dimorphism.

How do male blanket octopuses mate given the vast size difference between males and females?

Male blanket octopuses have a specialized arm called hectocotylus, which they use to transfer sperm to the female. After mating, the males often die, and the females carry the eggs until they hatch.

What are the main predators of blanket octopuses?

The main predators of blanket octopuses are large fish and some types of whales.

How do blanket octopuses use the tentacles of the Portuguese man o' war jellyfish?

Blanket octopuses are immune to the sting of the Portuguese man o' war jellyfish. They break off the poisonous tentacles and use them as a defense mechanism against other predators.

What is the lifespan of a blanket octopus?

The lifespan of a blanket octopus is relatively short, typically no longer than three to five years.

How does the circulatory system of a blanket octopus differ from other invertebrates?

Blanket octopuses have a circulatory system consisting of arteries, capillaries, and veins lined with a cellular endothelium, which is not commonly seen in other invertebrates.

Why is the blood of blanket octopuses blue in color?

The blood of blanket octopuses is blue due to the presence of hemocyanin, which is rich in copper and carries oxygen in the blood plasma instead of being carried by blood cells.