Difference between revisions of "Octopus"
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{{Taxonomy|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Mollusca|class = Cephalopoda|subclass = Coleoidea|superorder = Octopodiformes|order = Octopoda|)}} | {{Taxonomy|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Mollusca|class = Cephalopoda|subclass = Coleoidea|superorder = Octopodiformes|order = Octopoda|)}} | ||
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| + | An '''octopus''' is a [[cephalopod]] [[mollusc]] in the order Octopoda.<ref name="brusca">Brusca, RC & Brusca GJ (2002). '''Invertebrates, 2 ed'''. Sinauer Associates Incorporated, Sunderland, MA.</ref> | ||
| + | ==Description== | ||
Generally less actively swimming than fellow cephalopods [[squid]] and [[cuttlefish]], an octopus has eight flexible suckered arms, used for grasping rocks and prey as well as proppelling the octopus. These are often inaccurately referred to as "tentacles", but in fact that term refers specifically to two longer extremities which cuttlefish and squid have at the front of their bodies but octopuses do not. To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its arms, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water. | Generally less actively swimming than fellow cephalopods [[squid]] and [[cuttlefish]], an octopus has eight flexible suckered arms, used for grasping rocks and prey as well as proppelling the octopus. These are often inaccurately referred to as "tentacles", but in fact that term refers specifically to two longer extremities which cuttlefish and squid have at the front of their bodies but octopuses do not. To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its arms, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water. | ||
Octopuses use [[chromatophore]]s to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, they can eject a cloud of ink to mask their escape. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures. | Octopuses use [[chromatophore]]s to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, they can eject a cloud of ink to mask their escape. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures. | ||
| + | ==Octopus diet== | ||
Octopuses, after engulfing prey in their arms, inject it with venom. Some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia, are highly venomous and are capable of killing a man with their bite. | Octopuses, after engulfing prey in their arms, inject it with venom. Some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia, are highly venomous and are capable of killing a man with their bite. | ||
| + | ==Octopuses as food== | ||
Octopus is a popular seafood, especially in [[Mediterranean]] and [[Oriental]] cuisines, though it must be cooked carefully to avoid the flesh becoming rubbery. | Octopus is a popular seafood, especially in [[Mediterranean]] and [[Oriental]] cuisines, though it must be cooked carefully to avoid the flesh becoming rubbery. | ||
| + | ==Octopuses in popular culture== | ||
''The Octopus'' is also the name of novel by [[Frank Norris]]. | ''The Octopus'' is also the name of novel by [[Frank Norris]]. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Molluscs]] | [[Category:Molluscs]] | ||
[[Category:Seafood]] | [[Category:Seafood]] | ||
Revision as of 21:07, January 12, 2009
| Octopus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class Information | |
| Class | Cephalopoda |
| Sub-class | Coleoidea |
| Order Information | |
| Superorder | Octopodiformes |
| Order | Octopoda |
| Population statistics | |
An octopus is a cephalopod mollusc in the order Octopoda.[1]
Description
Generally less actively swimming than fellow cephalopods squid and cuttlefish, an octopus has eight flexible suckered arms, used for grasping rocks and prey as well as proppelling the octopus. These are often inaccurately referred to as "tentacles", but in fact that term refers specifically to two longer extremities which cuttlefish and squid have at the front of their bodies but octopuses do not. To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its arms, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water.
Octopuses use chromatophores to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, they can eject a cloud of ink to mask their escape. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures.
Octopus diet
Octopuses, after engulfing prey in their arms, inject it with venom. Some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia, are highly venomous and are capable of killing a man with their bite.
Octopuses as food
Octopus is a popular seafood, especially in Mediterranean and Oriental cuisines, though it must be cooked carefully to avoid the flesh becoming rubbery.
Octopuses in popular culture
The Octopus is also the name of novel by Frank Norris.
References
- ↑ Brusca, RC & Brusca GJ (2002). Invertebrates, 2 ed. Sinauer Associates Incorporated, Sunderland, MA.