How Many Brains does an Octopus Have?

 

Good question!!  Probably a lot more than you think.  

Octopus waving its arm...and mini-brain!

Here's a clue: each arm has its own mini-brain!  Now we're getting into some serious math.  8 arms X 1 mini-brain = 8 brains...but WAIT!!

There's also the central brain so that makes 9 brains in TOTAL!  WOW, talk about a lot of brain power.

For a lot more fascinating info on octopus brains check out my in-depth article "Why do Octopus have 3 Hearts and 9 Brains?"

For some additional brain-benders on Octopuses, take a look at my entire series of articles:

How Smart are Octopuses?  As Intelligent as Your Dog?

How do Octopuses Reproduce?  Detachable Penis!?

Can Octopus Arms Grow Back?  As Good as New?

Shocking Ability of Sharks to Sense Electricity

Sharks possess an amazing sense called electroreception.  The ability to sense tiny electrical currents is outside of our range of abilities and may not seem all that useful.  But I think you'll be surprised at how remarkably handy this sense can be if you are a shark searching for food in the vast ocean realms. 

The electro-sensory system of a shark is so sensitive that it can detect the tiny electrical currents generated by the muscles of a fish swimming nearby, a great advantage for those trying to find prey in the pitch-black.  This ability would be like a magic sixth sense to us, considering that a shark can detect the electrical signals given off by the beating of a fish’s heart (or human’s heart for that matter). 

Consider the implications!  As soon as you jump into the ocean, every shark in the vicinity knows you are there.  There’s no hiding behind a boat or chunk of coral.  If your heart is beating or your muscles are twitching, sharks will sense the electrical current. 

Sharks have by far the highest level of electrical sensitivity of any animal on the planet.  

Electroreception is based on a system of sensory organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini (see my article to learn more).

Electroreceptor pores on the snout of a Leopard Shark. Photo by Albert Kok on Wikimedia CC-by-03

The electrical sensitivity of a shark is equivalent to being able to detect the electric field of a flashlight battery connected to electrodes placed 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometres) apart in the ocean.  Seems like a stretch, doesn’t it! Believe me, this is based on extensive research.

How many senses do sharks have?  How does electroreception work?  What are the lateral lines used for?

If you want to learn how electroreception works and about all seven of the amazing senses that sharks possess, check out my recent article on biogeoplanet.com.

Merry Fishy Christmas!!

Happy Holidays!! Even ugly fish like to celebrate!

Of course, ugliness is in the eye of the beholder! 

Check out my recent article Why are Deep Sea Creatures so Weird and Ugly? to learn more about the fascinating adaptations that allow these creatures to survive and flourish in the cold, dark depths of the deep sea.

Viperfish are uniquely adapted to hanging onto prey with needle-sharp teeth.

Deep sea creatures have some unique adaptations for living in the icy cold, pitch black depths of the oceans far below the photic zone where light penetrates.  They can have fishing lures that glow in the dark, immense teeth to hold onto prey, and giant stomachs. We may consider these adaptations weird and ugly, but they can be key to survival in the oceans depths of the world.

There’s a certain beauty to adaptations that allow these creatures to survive and thrive in the extreme conditions of the deep sea.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy and fulfillment.  And less Covid too!

 George

Hello again! Introducing Biogeoplanet.com

Hello ... it has been a long time!  Don't these Hatchetfish have exactly the right expression during this Covid pandemic!!?  Haha!  Hope you are keeping safe!

As you would expect, we have not taken any cruises in 2020! Seems like a safer option during these Covid times. I do have several upcoming cruises scheduled for 2021-22 - you can see them listed here.  My wife and I have been busy preparing articles for our new website biogeoplanet.com

You might be interested in some of these articles -- I've learned a lot in researching them, even after 13 years of providing science lectures to thousands of people.

OK - did you know that octopuses can get an erection?  In fact they are the only non-mammalian species able to do so (that we know about).  Pays to have erectile tissue in the hectocotylus!  The same article describes how the Argonaut octopus has a detachable penis!!  

I believe you might find that my article on Irukandji jellyfish is one of the best sources of  up-to-date information available on this tiny yet life-threatening species.  I also delve into the fascinating subject of what it takes to succeed without a brain. 

Read about Leaf-cutter ants, some of our favorite insects.  They are so cheery and colorful as they go about their work with their parasol leaves held up high.  I was fascinated to learn that their jaws can vibrate up 1,000 times a second as they cut through leaves.  It is not a fair society!  The workers that toil away in the dump are ostracized and attacked if they try to come too close to the nest.

Check out my 360 degree video on taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town, South Africa.  This is one of the most scenic spots we've ever explored in all our years of travelling the world.

I have tons more fascinating articles up on Biogeoplanet.com - please take a minute to check them out.

Wishing you all the best,

George 

PS: My article on the most dangerous bird in the world is a hoot!!  Or squawk?

OK, I can't forget my encounter with a bullet ant - world's most painful stinging insect!