Back again, and I want to talk octopi

I was at the Seattle Aquarium at a hosted event of the NW Science Writers Association, and since I didn't see alot of people there I knew- first group event I'd attended - I decided to talk beaches and critters with the volunteers. Since I am a beach naturalist, I can talk their language about starfish, craps, groupers and the like.

But the most fascinating creature of the night, that night, and any other for me was the octopi in an dual tank. The male was white and sleeping in his, while the female, a pretty color of coral, then white, then pink and back to deep red, was having a great time checking out her tank and slipping her tentacles through the holes where the male's side began and her's ended.

The volunteer said that come valentine's day, they'll let the two check each other out, to see if romance blooms. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. If I was an octopus, I'm not sure I'd be so eager to find my forever love, since that's sort of what it is.

They are terminal breeders, so once they mate, the male, apparently dies quickly and then the female hangs around for a few weeks, and then dies as well (or is it months?).

I did learn that they smell with their suckers (didn't know that), and could operate all their arms independently (their intelligence made me swear off calamari).

Octopi, again

Thanks to Matt, for giving me this YouTube link (in spanish, but no translation needed) about how smart octopi really are. (I'm sure the crab that gets munched on doesn't appreciate it tho).

Also, for those of you that missed it, here is the article on octopi sex.

If You're Going to Mate Only Once, Better Make it Count

That seems to be the view of octopuses, whether large or small, not matter what species, according to this Berkeley Study.

Give this story a good read, and watch the videos with it. Octopi intrigue, from strangling rivals, to pretending to be females, to holding hands and long embraces.

Next time I find one in a Coke bottle or under a rock, as I did last summer on Des Moines beach, I'm going to look at this amazing creature with new respect.

Octopi, smarter than you think

I had heard that octopi had the intelligence of about a two year old, and after hearing that, I swore off eating calamari (that isn't squid).

This article in the Seattle Times about the Seattle Aquarium's octopus week hints they aren't that smart, but I'm still not eating them any time soon.

Any animal that can recognize its feeder (and greet it) and recongize a keeper that harasses him, or her, and squirts at them is smart enough for me. Besides they can do something I can't, and get into those childproof bottles.

I haven't seen the Pacific Octopus, but have seen the red octopus on beach walks, except they aren't red once we lift the rocks, they are turning white, a color of fear, I'm told. And we're also told NOT to touch them, as they have a nasty sting.

Photos courtesy of the Seattle Times and People for Puget Sound