'pus fishes for gulls

[dieseltaylor]

Very impressive example of their reputed intelligence

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Victoria+breakwater+edge+giant+octopus+makes+quick+meal+seagull/6552874/story.html

[gunnergoz]

Thank goodness they don't live very long, else our ape ancestors might have had more competition in the evolutionary wars. (Though admittedly we don't know much about the giant deep ocean squids or how long they live.)

[dieseltaylor]

Actually Wikipedia suggests the largest at 5 years however there are very large octopuses where I would think it suggests they can live longer :

"

Size

See also: Cephalopod size

An adult Giant Pacific Octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini

The Giant Pacific Octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini, is often cited as the largest octopus species. Adults usually weigh around 15 kg (33 lb), with an arm span of up to 4.3 m (14 ft).[32] The largest specimen of this species to be scientifically documented was an animal with a live mass of 71 kg (156.5 lb).[33] The alternative contender is the Seven-arm Octopus, Haliphron atlanticus, based on a 61 kg (134 lb) carcass estimated to have a live mass of 75 kg (165 lb).[34][35] However, there are a number of questionable size records that would suggest E. dofleini is the largest of all octopus species by a considerable margin;[36] one such record is of a specimen weighing 272 kg (600 lb) and having an arm span of 9 m (30 ft).[37]"

[Affentitten]

Bigger.

[Michael Emrys]

Bigger.

I don't know, it looks like all the other question marks in a blue box to me.

Michael

[-E]

Very impressive example of their reputed intelligence

While I cannot view the link, I went to a lecture about the ("giant pacific") octopus once, put on specifically for our dive club...

They're reputed to have the intelligence of "a dumb puppy." And there used to be one at a nearby university that would splash any who passed by without stopping to greet him in his tank.

They live for one thing only... procreation. The male has a limited amount (I forget... something like 8?) of sperm "capsules" (not the right word) and will give up all interest in life once he's empty. And of course a successful pregnancy means death by starvation for the female, while she tends the eggs.

You can tell a male from a female by looking at the right 3rd arm... if there is a groove the length of it, it is a male (it moves the pencil-like sperm "capsule" down this groove while keeping it waterproof... once it gets inside the female, the saltwater makes it breakup/explode).

One other thing... don't let an octopus tongue you (the use their tongue to drill holes in shells). I forget how strong the beak is supposed to be...

Gerty & The Sea Monster

------------------------

I had not been to the lecture yet, when I saw the "loss of interest in life" effect on a male once. We were directly below "Sturdy Gertie," while diving to see "Galloping Gertie" at about 60-70ft depth ... and he just sat there in the open looking at us (he had an arm span of approximately 10ft (+/-2ft)). No ink. No attempts to get away from our obnoxious exhaust bubbles. He just sat there! We had been inked plenty of times by slightly smaller octopi, and it just didn't make any sense until going to the lecture and learning he just didn't care anymore.

Next week... (Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel)

"My First Face to Face Encounter with a Wolf Eel" or "How I Warmed My Wetsuit"

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[gunnergoz]

...(snip)

One other thing... don't let an octopus tongue you (the use their tongue to drill holes in shells). I forget how strong the beak is supposed to be...

(snip)

Now there's an aspect of sexuality that I never considered for some reason.

But no doubt the porn industry will jump on your meme: "Put the Octo back in pussy at cephalopod-sex.com."

:eek:

[Affentitten]

My favourite encounter with an octopus was at the night markets in Zanzibar. Fresh chunks of thick octopus tentacle char-grilled on a barbecue and lavishly oiled and spiced. Wrapped up in newspaper and washed down with a Safari lager. And all for the princely sum of aboout 20 cents.