10 things you didn’t know about octopuses

Do you want to know the story behind the Little Pepino, well it all started with an affinity with the ocean and then with the creatures within it and finally a baby little octopus. Not just a squishy face there’s more to octopus than meets the eye, here are 10 things you probably never knew.

1. Octopi?

First things first, did you know that the plural for octopus is actually octopuses not octopi, the New Oxford American Dictionary set the record straight in 2010.

2. Constantly evolving 

Octopuses are one of the smartest creatures in the world, constantly learning to evolve and adapt to their surroundings, sometimes even blending into them!⁣

3. Brains trust

They have nine brains and three hearts⁣.

4. Smart arm

Two-thirds of an octopus’s neurons (or brain cells) can be found in their arms.

5. A helping hand

If they lose an arm they can grow another one⁣.

6. Hues of blues 

Octopuses have blue blood⁣.

7. Now you see them, now you don't

They are the masters of camouflage, they have special cells called chromatophores which help them change colour in the blink of an eye. They can also change their appearance to mimic rocks, coral and grow horns. 

8. Extraordinary sensing

Don’t be fooled my these little guys. Although small, octopuses have a great sense of touch and sight, using their signature suckers to feel their environment and amazing eyesight to always keep an eye out for predators.

9. Houdini 

An entire octopus is soft, aside from its beak it doesn't have any vertebrates and can squeeze into the smallest of cavities - it's like cats but ocean bound! One octopus in New Zealand actually managed to houdini its way out of its tank and made an attempted “run for it”.

10. Against all odds

Of the 200,000 to 400,000 eggs that a female lays only 4-5 will survive.