The eight-tentacled wonder of the seas
World Octopus Day is on October 8 and Sue Wilkinson looks at one of the most distinctive and mysterious creatures living on the planet today
The Octopus - the eight-tentacled, odd creature from under the sea - has always been one that brings with it a load of fascination for its intelligence, mobility, and beauty.
Octopuses are worthy of appreciation for a number of reasons. First of all, they are one of the earth’s great survivors.Octopus fossils date back more than 300 million years, meaning that they pre-date dinosaurs.
Perhaps one of the reasons that these unique creatures have survived so long
With around 500 million neurons located in their brains and arms, they are able to bypass their instincts, learn lessons and solve problems in a way that not very many other sea life creatures are able to.
Some of them have even been seen to be creative, by using discarded coconut shells and making them into mobile homes.
Octopuses are visually stunning, coming in various different colors, a multitude of sizes, and all sorts of shapes.
Some live in the very shal ow a, while others can be fo d
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Sometimes called the chameleons of the sea, the octopus is often able to change colors to blend in with its surroundings as a form of protection against predators.
HOW TO CELEBRATE OCTOPUS DAY
Take a Trip to a Sea Life Centre Getting up close and personal with these sea creatures is the best way to get to know them! Try to see what octopuses can be found at an aquarium near you.
Watch a documentary B ’ ane at lm o ge
.
Learn about the life of the octopus
Put aside a small section of this day to simply get more informed about these fascinating underwater creatures. Although short-lived - some only live six months - they are unique creatures with extremely interesting lives.
National Geographic has a long history of being the go-to for learning about all things related to nature. With videos, articles and other resources, check out their website or their magazine. https://www.nationalgeographic.com
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