The octopus is one of the most fascinating creatures that inhabit the oceans, with about 300 known species. These invertebrates stand out not only for their eight arms equipped with suction cups, but also for their incredible intelligence and ability to adapt. They are distributed in coastal areas and in the icy deep waters, which makes them one of the most versatile mollusks. But among their many peculiarities, one of the least known is how many hearts they have. In this article, we will tell you all about it in detail.
Characteristics and habitat of the octopus
The body of the octopus is divided into three main regions:
- Head: Inside the octopus's head are its eyes, brain, and systemic heart, along with two branchial hearts, which we will discuss later.
- Mantle: It is the area that connects the head and the limbs. Inside the mantle are the octopus's internal organs, including the cavity where the gills are located. The mantle also expels water through a siphon, allowing the octopus to propel itself quickly.
- Extremities: The octopus's eight tentacles, or arms, are strong and full of suction cups. Each arm has its own nervous system, allowing the octopus to move them independently, as if they had a mind of their own.
Octopuses are found in almost all of the world's oceans, from coral reefs to the most inhospitable areas of the deep ocean. Their ability to adapt to different environments and forms of predation is impressive. They feed on small fish, crustaceans and other mollusks, proving to be cunning hunters.
The three hearts of the octopus
One of the main curiosities about the octopus is its closed circulatory system, something unusual among invertebrates. Unlike most mollusks, octopuses have a closed circulatory system where blood circulates exclusively within blood vessels. But the most fascinating thing is that they have three hearts.
El systemic heart pumps oxygenated blood from the gills to the rest of the body. The other two hearts, called gill hearts, are connected to the gills and are responsible for pumping oxygen-poor blood to them to oxygenate it. This arrangement is vital for the octopus to maintain optimal blood pressure and be able to oxygenate its body efficiently.
A unique feature of octopuses is that when they swim, their systemic heart stopsThis means that they prefer to move by walking on the seabed, since swimming is more costly for them in terms of energy.
The curious blue blood of octopuses
The blood of octopuses is blue because they use hemocyanin, a protein that carries oxygen in your blood. This protein is made of copper instead of iron, which gives it its distinctive color. Although hemocyanin is less efficient than hemoglobin at transporting oxygen, nature has made up for this by creating a unique circulatory system that includes the three hearts we've already mentioned.
Why is the blood of octopuses blue? Because copper-based hemocyanin is more efficient at transporting oxygen in cold, low-pressure environments, conditions common in octopus habitats. This allows them to thrive in a wide variety of ocean environments, from warm waters to the cold, dark depths.
How many brains does an octopus have?
The octopus' nervous system is one of its most impressive features. Although they only have one central brain In its head, much of its cognitive capacity is distributed across its tentacles. Each of the eight arms has its own network of neurons, which allows them to act independently. In fact, 60% of the octopus' neurons are distributed across its tentacles, giving each of them a certain autonomy of movement.
However, these tentacles do not act independently. All nerve signals are connected to the central brain, which coordinates the octopus's actions and decisions. The most important lobes in its brain are:
- optic lobes: Receives and processes visual information.
- Vertical lobe: Involved in learning and memory, similar to the human hippocampus.
- Peduncle: Responsible for balance and motor coordination.
This brain complexity allows them not only to move with agility, but also to camouflage themselves from predators and learn from their experiences. Studies have shown that octopuses can remember previous situations, solve problems and even use tools, as has been observed with octopuses that use shells to protect themselves.
Fascinating facts about octopuses
In addition to their amazing biology, octopuses have other curiosities that make them even more special:
- Exceptional Camouflage: Octopuses are masters of the art of camouflage. Thanks to their ability to change color and texture, they can blend into their surroundings in a matter of seconds.
- Lack of skeleton: Not having a skeleton, octopuses can compress their bodies to fit through very narrow spaces, allowing them to hide in any crevice or shelter.
- Skilled predators: They use their suction cups to catch their prey, mainly crustaceans and small fish, and tear them apart with their horny beak.
- Jet propulsion: This is their quickest escape route. By expelling water through the siphon, they can move in the opposite direction at great speed.
Ultimately, octopuses are not only intelligent and adaptive animals, but their unique biology, from their circulatory system to their distributed nervous system, makes them one of the most impressive creatures in the ocean. Their ability to adapt and survive in diverse environments is truly fascinating.