5 Wild Facts About Octopuses, One of Nature’s Most Fascinating Animals

Octopuses rank among the most intriguing and mysterious inhabitants of the ocean. Their alien-like appearance and remarkable intelligence have fascinated humans for centuries, sparking both awe and curiosity about these extraordinary cephalopods. Here, we delve into five of the most intriguing facts about octopuses that highlight their unique place in the natural world.

The evolutionary history of octopuses is both long and impressive. The oldest known fossil of an octopus ancestor dates back approximately 330 million years, which means they existed long before the dinosaurs. An ancient specimen, discovered in Montana, had ten limbs instead of the eight we see in today's octopuses. This incredible longevity underscores the adaptability and resilience of these creatures, allowing them to survive and evolve through countless environmental changes.

One of the most remarkable physiological traits of octopuses is their three hearts. Two of these hearts pump blood through the gills for oxygenation. The third heart circulates the oxygen-rich blood throughout the rest of the body. Interestingly, the heart that supplies blood to the organs stops beating when the octopus swims, which explains why they prefer crawling to swimming. This unique circulatory system supports their active lifestyles and complex behaviors.

Contrary to Aristotle's ancient claim that octopuses are "stupid," modern research has shown that they are highly intelligent creatures. Octopuses possess large brains.

The intelligence of these eight-legged creatures extends to their limbs, as two-thirds of their neurons are located in their arms. This decentralized nervous system allows their arms to operate independently, performing tasks such as opening shellfish while the rest of the octopus concentrates on other activities. Even when severed, their arms can respond to stimuli, showcasing a remarkable level of autonomy and sophistication in their nervous system.