Celebrating World Octopus Day

To commemorate this day of the octopus, let’s take a look at these underwater cephalopods that have been the topic of some fantastic stories of the ocean and deep seas.

Did you know that these lighthearted creatures can open jars, use tools, and play with objects? And, with a gained trust, octopuses can be quite friendly. Just don’t put them on your face (yes, some have tried!). With a hard, sharp beak for a mouth, they can do some damage. Otherwise, they like discovering new things – including humans. So, here are just a few facts that you might enjoy learning about the octopus.

1. There are 300 recognized species of octopus, with fossils dating back more than 500 million years – that’s older than dinosaurs!
2. Some experts believe octopuses are the most intelligent animal – even more intelligent than cats, dogs, or dolphins. Each arm of the octopus has a brain, and more than half of their total neurons are located within each of their eight arms.
3. Octopuses are invertebrates (no bones), so they can easily slip into a tiny space as small as a quarter. They collect discarded shells and use them to hide within.
4. A female octopus can have as many as 280 suckers on each arm. Each sucker contains thousands of chemical receptors that are sensitive to both touch, vision, and smell. They can camouflage themselves quickly, changing the color and texture of their skin.
5. The Giant Pacific Octopus can weigh up to 600-pounds and can be found in the deepest depths of the ocean at 5,000ft. In 2016 NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer captured video of a “ghostly” octopod at a depth of 14,000 feet below the surface of the North Pacific.
6. Octopuses produce ink from their siphon to evade, confuse and deter predators. Octopuses are curious creatures and generally not aggressive toward people.
7. The mouth of an octopus is strong and sharp, very much like a bird’s beak. Octopus bites can cause bleeding and swelling in people, but only the venom of the blue-ringed octopus is known to be deadly to humans.
8. Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood. Two hearts pump blood to the gills, while a third circulates it to the rest of the body.
9. Plural of octopus is octopuses, not octopi (though commonly used). The Greek plural form is octopodes.

Okay, we tried to stop at eight (one for each tentacle), but there's just so much to learn! So, to continue your underwater journey into the life of the octopus, we have come up with some suggestions you might like.

	The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery "Can an octopus have a mind and emotions, let alone a soul? Sy Montgomery faces these questions head-on in her engaging new book as she explores the world of octopuses, making friends with several and finding heartbreak when they die. They aren't, she discovers, simply brainless invertebrates, but personable, playful, conscious beings." — Virginia Morell, author of ANIMAL WISE: How We Know Animals Think and Feel
	Great for Kids! Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home by Sy Montgomery "As a reading teacher, I am always on the look out for quality non-fiction books that appeal to boys and girls. This is my book of the year!! Fantastic story and the illustrations are pieces of art, every child should have this book!"
	Octopus Shower Curtain Decorate your bathroom with this adorable shower curtain. Makes a great gift for your friends or family, or just a nice way to improve the look of your bathroom.
	Octopus Wearing Glasses T-Shirt We have you covered in these great T-shirts available for men, women and children.
	Black & White Octopus Mug Seize the Day with this beautifully designed ceramic mug featuring our favorite cephalopod.
	Octopus Wearing Glasses, Cotton Canvas Natural This lovely flat bottomed tote bag is super strong and reinforced. The bag and the print will last for many years of hard use. Toting your books, e-readers, glasses (and maybe a bottle of wine) is a cinch knowing your aquatic friend is taking care of you.

"We split from our common ancestor with the octopus half a billion years ago. And yet, you can make friends with an octopus."

— Sy Montgomery

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