OCTOPUS

The Octopus is the most wonderful animal in the sea. It has a rounded body, large eyes, and eight long arms. There are about 100 species of octopuses. They have ink to protect them from anything that is trying to attack them. Octopuses feed chiefly on crabs, clams, and snails. Many species also eat other octopuses. Certain octopuses make a hole in the shell of their prey and then inject a poison that paralyzes the animals. An octopus also can escape danger by rapidly changing colors. They normally can be found in deep waters. They come in many different sizes. The female octopus can lay more than 100,000 eggs. She cares for the eggs until they hatch into tiny, immature octopuses. The young swim at or near the surface of the water for several weeks as part of plankton. Most octopuses are not regarded as dangerous to human beings. However, octopuses sometimes bite, so caution is necessary in handling them. In some countries, octopus is an important food. There are octopus fisheries in many parts of the world, most notably off Japan, in the Mediterranean, and off the northwest coast of Africa, You also can eat baby octopus, and it tastes really yummy. Want to more about octopus and see more pictures go to: http://www.austmus.gov.au/science/division/invert/mal/gallery /octopus.htm

The body of an octopus is soft and boneless. A fleshy, muscular covering, is called the mantle, surrounds the main part of the body, forming a cavity that encloses the gills. An octopus breathes by drawing water into the mantle cavity. The circulation of water provides oxygen for the gills. The mantle then contracts and forces the water out through a tube called the funnel or siphon. An octopus has three hearts. Two hearts are associated with the gills and are called gill hearts. Body of an octopus The two eyes of an octopus are on each side of the head. They are similar in structure to the eyes of human beings and provide good vision. Eight arms extend from the head of an octopus. At their base, the arms are united by a membrane web. The underside of each arm is lined with round, muscular suckers. An octopus uses its arms and suckers to move along the ocean bottom and to capture the small animals that it eats. The suckers can provide enormous suction, enabling the octopus to attach firmly to rocks. If an octopus loses an arm, a new one grows in its place. An octopus's mouth is a beaklike structure located beneath the head at the base of the arms.