Sea World | Meet the Blanket Octopus

Blanket Octopus. Source

The marine world is a spectacle that tends to attract the attention of biologists thanks to the diversity of animals that can be seen, much is said about fish such as sharks, whales, dolphins, etc. However, octopuses are still animals that deserve studies, because they turn out to be so intelligent and striking that they can not be overlooked. A few weeks ago I wrote to you about an octopus that has the incredible ability to imitate up to 15 marine species in order to scare off its predators. This time I want to talk about another species of octopus that does something very different.

Blanket Octopus, Swimming. Source

Characteristics and Habitat of the Tremoctopus

It has the scientific name "Tremoctopus", but it is known colloquially as blanket octopus, it is an octopod that, like all octopuses, stores in its head the eyes, brain and three hearts, two carry blood to the gills and one to the rest of the body . These animals can form images and distinguish colors; although all its senses work very well, the one of the ear does not, because they are completely deaf. The "Tremoctopus" are differentiated from the others by having two large membranes (only the females own them) in their dorsal extremities that they can deploy to defend themselves from their predators.

The blanket octopus inhabits areas of tropical and temperate waters, is a deep-water animal that can rarely be seen in areas of medium to moderate depth. Among the places that have been observed are: the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the ocean, Australia, and the seas of New Zealand.

Blanket Octopus, Male. Source

A Clear Example of Sexual Dimorphism

In the animal world the sexual dimorphism exists in many species, but the case of this species of octopus is quite exaggerated, because females have all the advantages that the male lacks. The females are 10,000 times larger than the males, measuring up to two meters, while the males can measure only a few centimeters. As for the weight of each one, the female weighs up to 10 Kilograms, while the male does not exceed the 1/4 Kilograms.

For the reasons already mentioned, biologists consider that they are the most fascinating and classic examples of sexual dimorphism in the animal species. Can you imagine that our species presented this type of dimorphism? If such a thing happened in humans, then the females would measure about 1.80 meters, while the males would be about the size of a walnut.

Octopuses Pairing. Source

An Mating that Ends in Death

The mating in the octopuses is a little different, these animals have a fairly short life span; In the case of the male blanket octopus, they are in constant effort to mate. At the moment of finding a partner, the male presents his special tentacle called "hectocotilo" (a third arm that acts as a copulatory organ) filled with sperm, he deposits it in the female cavity to die shortly after performing this act. The female then carries about 100,000 fertilized eggs for a time, until it is appropriate to use for reproduction.

Tremoctopus. Source

Method to Defend from Predators

The "Tremoctopus" do not have the method of ejecting ink like most octopuses, which is why they have evolved in a way that allows them to somehow intimidate their predators. As I mentioned before, the female of this species has two large membranes that they use to extend them to look much bigger and thus intimidate anyone who seems a threat; in case this does not work for them, they have the ability to get rid of the blankets and flee quickly while the predator is distracted.

When this species of octopus is young it does not have its characteristic membranes, a fact that makes them easy prey, because we must remember that they do not have any other method of defense. However, these intelligent animals resort to an unusual method; biologists have observed that this species is immune to the poison of jellyfish like the Portuguese caravel, so they choose to pull tentacles from these and place them in their suction cups to use their venom as a defense when attacked. Great intelligence of these animals!

Author's Opinion

The marine world is so huge that it remains a great mystery to humans. As more and more research is done, there are more wonders found and discoveries of the great capabilities of the animals that inhabit the oceans. It is not surprising that gradually more fabulous species continue to appear. On the other hand, it is necessary to say that octopuses are surprising and incredibly intelligent animals, each species of these has so rare methods to defend themselves that they leave us speechless. This is definitely another species of the animal kingdom that can not be ignored, because it is a clear example of intelligence.

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