The Weird and Wonderful Octopus – Is It Really Alien?

There are some among us who believe that the octopus (plural octopuses, not octopi) is alien.

Why, you ask?

If their appearance is not enough to raise at least some doubt, consider the following:

Octopuses have three hearts

Each pump of blood throughout their bodies. This special circulatory system helps them efficiently oxygenate their tissues. A lot of oxygen is essential for survival in cold, deep waters.

Their blood is blue. This is because it uses hemocyanin. Humans, on the other hand, have haemoglobin. Hemocyanin contains copper rather than iron, which gives it its blue colour.

Hemocyanin transports oxygen well in cold, low-oxygen settings. However, it is thicker and binds with oxygen less efficiently. One heart circulates blood around the body, while the other two pump it past the gills to pick up oxygen.

They require a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood to fuel their remarkable brainpower. They can also swim at high speeds, which requires a lot of oxygenated blood. The three hearts work in combination to fulfil their needs. However, the main heart muscle does not work when they are swimming, so they tire very easily.

More than one brain

Octopuses have a brain in each of their eight legs. A central brain controls all the leg brains. Each leg brain manages taste, touch, and movement independently for every arm. Unlike human hands and fingers, octopus suckers can think and act on their own. Imagine if your fingertips had a life of their own!

Octopuses are seriously smart; certainly, the smartest of all invertebrates.

Their intelligence goes far beyond simply moving through mazes or opening jars. They are the only invertebrates to use tools and can wield external weapons. They team up with other species. At times, they give their fish partners a solid punch to keep them in check.

Masters of Disappearing

Octopuses would have to be the animal experts of disguise and camouflage. I have been diving many times and tried to spot an octopus. On only a few occasions have I been successful. On one occasion, I saw an octopus change its camouflage no less than five times in the space of a few seconds.

Under their skin, they have thousands of specialised cells called chromatophores. These cells allow them to change colour in an instant. They also have "papilli." These are small areas of skin that can expand or contract. This lets them change their skin texture fast, so they can blend in with their surroundings.

Alien DNA?

Scientists have discovered that the octopus has 33,000 protein-coding genes. By comparison, humans have 20,000. Octopus DNA is complex and has a high mutation rate. Still, it has changed very little compared to other animals.

Their genetic makeup boosts amazing brain skills. This includes strong problem-solving abilities and even the chance for emotional experiences. Octopuses in captivity have been shown to recognise individual keepers. They exhibited hostile behaviour towards keepers whom they dislike. Conversely, keepers who fed them their favourite foods received positive behaviour.

Because the octopus can change its physiology in an instant, it has forgone the need for mutation. This contradicts the theory of evolution, in which the most adaptive organism prospers. It seems the octopus is doing pretty well with the genetics it had way back in its ancestry.

Cosmic powers

One octopus in particular, Paul, regularly picks the winners of FIFA games. Between 2008 and 2010, Paul was asked to pick the winners of FIFA games. Out of 14 predictions, Paul was correct 12 times, an 85.7% accuracy rate. Believe it or not!

Despite all these amazing facts, it’s unlikely they came from outer space. The history of science is full of theories that were once rejected but later proven true. Just think about all the theories of Galileo.

Till next time,

Calvin