Go diving into the intertidal waters of the Great Barrier Reef along the northeastern coast of Australia, and you might happen upon a tiny octopus, no more than the size of your hand. Perceiving you a threat, it’s likely to flash the dazzling blue rings patterned across its body. Take this as a sign to stay away.
The warning system of the blue-ringed octopus doesn’t seem to work on a lot of people, since many have taken too close a look, and been horribly bitten by its venomous saliva. While it isn’t particularly aggressive, it doesn’t like to be cornered or touched.
The venom of this pint-sized (it averages 5 to 8 inches in length) creature is strong enough to paralyze a human. Though it’s rare for someone to die from its bite, it has happened, as there is no known antidote as yet. There is debate about how many human fatalities this octopus has caused, but the consensus in one handbook on venomous marine animals published in 1996 was that at least eleven had succumbed at the time.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus “Juggles” Its Eggs Until They Hatch
A 1973 study in Marine Biology observed the life-history of captive blue-ringed octopuses, or Hapalochlaena maculosa, that were bred in a laboratory. It found the octopuses to possess a peculiar characteristic. Females didn’t lay eggs in dens or under rocks like other octopuses—instead, the expecting mothers carried them around until they hatched.
Assuming a brooding posture, a female wore her eggs in clusters (like a handbag) or even individually, moving them from one arm to the other as required. To put things in perspective—she may lay as many as 50 eggs per clutch, making this an impressive feat.
Scientists believe the species to be evolved for maximum efficiency, as it reproduces fast and thrives on a simple diet of crabs. It pierces through these crustaceans, injects venomous saliva to pre-digest the flesh, and proceeds to suck the tissues in.
Aside from helping prepare its meals, its venom also keeps predators like moray eels, dolphins, and larger fish at bay.
The Coconut Octopus Walks On Two Tentacles Like A Human
This avid collector of discarded coconut husks is a widespread inhabitant of seas across the world. It is usually tiny, sometimes even smaller than the blue-ringed octopus. It likes to make its home in the husks, and often encloses itself into two husks in the presence of a predator.
The coconut octopus, or Amphioctopus marginatus, uses marine waste to discreetly cover up its “den.” This cephalopod keeps such a low profile that it will quickly slip into bottles, cans and other collectibles when approached or disturbed.
Such use of “tools” is possibly the first evidence of tool use in invertebrates, and isn’t the only human-like behavior of this species. It has also been seen walking on two or four tentacles, using its remaining tentacles to carry shells or mimic the appearance of one.
The reproductive system of this species is robust, enabling females to lay up to 100,000 eggs per clutch.
The Female Blanket Octopus is 10,000 Times Bigger Than The Male
Blanket octopuses are extremely rare, having been seen only a handful of times in the past decade. It is not a single species, but a group of four, all appearing as iridescent, shrouded creatures with a long trail. Many divers, scientists and others who have witnessed this creature believe it to be the most beautiful type of octopus.
If threatened, they won’t hesitate to detach their long, web-like blankets of flesh to entangle a predator, allowing time for a quick getaway. It also has a bizarre technique of hunting prey—it will tear off jellyfish tentacles to fish for food.
The blanket octopus possesses the largest sex size discrepancy among all animals. Females average about an impressive 6-7 feet in length, whereas males are a mere 1.5 inches. The latter, of course, is not equipped with the blanket.
The mating ritual of this group is just as strange as its preying habits. The female rips off the male’s arm, and stores it in her mantle cavity until she is ready to use it for fertilization. Unsurprisingly, the male dies soon after.
The world’s oceans are home to as many as 300 species of octopuses, each more remarkable than the last. From polar waters to tropical seagrass beds, they have evolved to survive in a range of habitats. They possess some of the highest levels of intelligence and camouflaging abilities among any animals.
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