Adaptations
StructuralSkeleton
The Blue-Ringed Octopus has no skeleton like most other octopi. Because of this, these cephalopods are very flexible and are able to morph their bodies into tight spaces very easily. Beak Like other Octopi, the Blue-Ringed Octopus possesses a beak. It is commonly used for hunting, as when clutching to its prey, breaks open its exoskeleton, (Diet has specifics of crabs and shrimp) and sucks out the flesh. Tentacles This animal has strong suction pads placed on its tentacles that help it hunt by allowing the octopus to latch onto its victim and murder it. Sound fun? |
BehaviouralHunting
When hunting, this octopus ambushes its victim by wrapping its tentacles around the prey to pull it towards its mouth. Then, using its beak to pierce through the tough exoskeleton of the soon to be murdered animal, mainly crustaceans, it injects its less than lethal poison used for hunting inside of it. The venom soon paralyzes the muscles required for breathing and movement, rendering the poor animal helpless. It then tears away the shell with its hardened beak and slurps the flesh out of the prey's exoskeleton. Threats The Blue-Ringed Octopus only displays its blue rings when agitated or frightened to warn predators or danger before it is going to attack. The darker patches on its skin darken even more dramatically, and its iridescent blue rings appear to pulsate |
PhysiologicalVenom
As this cephalopod hunts, it uses a less dangerous poison that is not as deadly as the one used when feeling threatened. This venom paralyzes much of the animal, and results in the ease of eating it. But, when defending itself, the Blue-Ringed Octopus uses its other, more deadly, venom which can kill a person with only one milligram of the fluid. Ink In order to escape predators, an octopus can squirt black ink into the water, allowing the octopus to escape. The octopus swims by spewing water from its body, a type of jet propulsion. Though, over several-several years of evolution, the Blue-Ringed Octopus's ink sac which carries the ink, has gotten smaller and smaller. The marine animal barely needs it from the lack of predators. So, soon there most likely won't be an ink sac at all. |