Did you know? Octopuses have three hearts

When it comes to nature’s most fascinating creatures, octopuses stand out as a marvel. These enigmatic sea creatures are well-known for their intellect, unusual behaviour, and ability to blend in with their surroundings. However, did you know that octopuses have three hearts instead of just one? Yes, in order to survive in the deep blue, this sea genius with tentacles carries three hearts. However, that only scratches the surface of octopuses’ amazing and peculiar nature.

Why Three Hearts?

You may wondering how this is possible but here’s how it works:

Blood is pumped to the gills by two branchial hearts, where it receives oxygen.

The oxygen-rich blood is subsequently circulated throughout the body by a single systemic heart.

Even more fascinating is the fact that when the octopus swims, its systemic heart stops pumping! The fact that octopuses would rather crawl and glide down the seafloor than swim is reflected in this unusual adaption. Because swimming puts a lot of strain on the body, slowing the systemic heart helps them save energy when swimming. This may help to explain why, rather than swimming for extended periods of time, octopuses are more frequently observed scuttling around the ocean floor.

Blue Bloods: Another Unusual Trait

Not only do octopuses have unusual heart structure, but they also contain blue blood. Octopuses have copper-based blood, which appears blue, in contrast to humans, who have red, iron-rich blood. Hemocyanin, a copper-rich chemical, aids in their more effective oxygen transfer, particularly in cold, low-oxygen environments where they frequently reside. In the deep water, where oxygen levels might be low, this is essential for survival.

Solitary, shy, and intelligent

Another well-known trait of the octopus is its intellect. According to some scientists, these animals are just as intelligent as dogs or even primates. They have Houdini-like accuracy when it comes to opening jars, solving puzzles, and breaking out of cages. Octopuses are solitary creatures, meeting just to mate and then leaving right away, despite their high level of intelligence.

Tentacles That Think?

Even stranger is the fact that, despite being cut off from the brain, each octopus arm possesses a semi-independent neural system that enables it to respond to stimuli. They can “think” on their own, in other words! The octopus has unparalleled control over its limbs thanks to its decentralised neural system, which allows it to move in unison to imitate other marine life or squeeze through confined places.

The Master of Disguise in Nature

Octopuses are not only amazing creatures, but they are also masters of disguise. They can change colour and texture almost rapidly to fit in with their environment or fend off predators thanks to unique pigment cells in their skin called chromatophores. This skill is useful for hunting and communication in addition to defence.

Evolutionary Loners

Even though they are intelligent and versatile, octopuses only live for a brief time. While some larger species can live up to five years, the majority typically live one to two years. Males and females both pass away soon after mating. Although this brief lifespan may seem like a drawback, it is consistent with the octopus’s evolutionary strategy, which consists of rapid spurts of growth, intelligence, and reproduction followed by a swift departure.

A Creature Unlike Any Other

Without a doubt, one of the most peculiar animals on the planet is the octopus. It is a true alien in our oceans, possessing three hearts, blue blood, independent-thinking tentacles, and unparalleled camouflage powers. The remarkable diversity of life that has developed under the sea’s surface is demonstrated by every aspect of this animal’s morphology and behaviour.

Next time you look out over the ocean, know that somewhere down there is a creature with more hearts than any of us could ever handle, sapphire-colored blood, and intelligence on par with some of the world’s brightest creatures. The octopus is definitely a marvel of evolution.

So, if you’re ever asked, “What creature has three hearts?” you may confidently respond, “The octopus—and that’s just the beginning!”