The octopus is one of the ocean's most remarkable creatures. With eight flexible arms, a soft body, and no bones, the octopus can squeeze through tiny spaces that seem impossible for an animal its size. Scientists have observed octopuses escaping from sealed containers by fitting through holes the size of a quarter.
Octopuses are also incredibly intelligent. In laboratory tests, they have solved complex puzzles, opened childproof containers, and even unscrewed jar lids to reach food inside. Some octopuses have been caught sneaking out of their tanks at night to steal fish from nearby aquariums, then returning before morning.
Perhaps most fascinating is the octopus's ability to change color and texture in less than a second. Special cells in their skin allow them to match almost any background, from sandy ocean floors to rocky coral reefs. They use this camouflage to hide from predators and to sneak up on prey.
When camouflage fails, octopuses have other defenses. They can squirt clouds of ink to confuse attackers and propel themselves backward at surprising speeds. Some species are poisonous, while others can lose an arm to escape and regrow it later.
Despite their amazing abilities, most octopuses live only one to two years. Female octopuses often die shortly after their eggs hatch because they stop eating while guarding their eggs for months. This short lifespan makes the octopus's intelligence even more remarkable, as each generation must learn everything on its own.