Octopus
Description
of the Octopus
The Octopus is a Cephalopod and are sometimes referred to as 'Inkfish'
due to their ability to release a cloud of black ink to confuse
predators if they feel threatened. They have an amazing ability
to change color to camouflage themselves to their current
environment while they wait for their prey to approach.
Profile of
the Octopus
This
Profile contains interesting facts and information about the
Octopus species.
-
Size: Its body
(mantle) can be up to 27cm, its arms can span up to 1m
-
Diet / Feeding:
Crabs, Crayfish, will eat almost anything!
-
Temperament:
Very Intelligent
-
Habitat:
Tropical Marine Waters up to 200m in depth
-
Range: Eastern
Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea
Scientific
Classification of the Octopus
Definition: Scientific
classification, or biological classification, is how biologists
group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical
characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the
science of taxonomy.
Interesting Facts and Information -
How do you identify
the sex of a Octopus?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors
or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish
species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes
tricky being an ichthyologist!
Interesting Facts and Information - Octopus
Octopuses have two eyes and four
pairs of arms. They don't have an internal or external skeleton
and as such they are able to squeeze through the smallest
spaces. They secrete a type of mucus, or slime, which they use
to paralyse their prey.
Interesting Facts and Information -
Why do Octopus have gills?
Gills enable the Octopus to breathe. Gills consist of thin
sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over
the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon
dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a
large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however
have lungs and breathe air.
Interesting Facts and Information about
Octopus
|
