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World Octopus Day
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TueOct 8

World Octopus Day – October 8, 2024

World Octopus Day is annually marked on October 8 and we are drawing up plans to celebrate the existence of one of nature’s most iconic sea creatures. Octopuses are remarkably intelligent and adaptable. With some Octopus fossils predating the era of dinosaurs, they are known to be older than most creatures currently existing today. One thing you can be sure of is that there’s more to this amazing sea creature than a bulbous head and eight legs with suction cups.

History of World Octopus Day

Octopuses are members of the class Cephalopoda, which means ‘head foot’ in Greek, while the name ‘octopus’ comes from the Greek word ‘októpus,’ meaning ‘eight foot.’ Octopuses have eight arms, which more often than not have suction cups at the bottom. The arms have clusters of neurons in them, which allow different arms to do different tasks at the same time. These neuron clusters may be considered to be brains. Thus, octopuses have nine brains, having a central one that controls their nervous system and one in each arm.

Octopuses have not just one, but three hearts! Two for moving blood to the gills and the other for pumping blood through the rest of the body. They are highly intelligent and have been known to perform tasks ranging from opening jars to using tools. They are incredibly flexible, are great at hiding, and can be found in every ocean in the world.

In addition, octopuses are visually stunning, coming in various colors, a multitude of sizes, and all sorts of shapes. Some live in the very shallow waters of the sea, while others can be found thousands of meters below the surface. Sometimes called the chameleons of the sea, octopuses are often able to change colors to blend in with their surroundings as a form of protection against predators.

According to some sources, World Octopus Day was started in 2006 by “The Octopus News Magazine Online” to celebrate the uniqueness of the octopus. It has been annually observed since then.

World Octopus Day timeline

1856
Octopus Arm of Reproduction

Danish zoologist, Japetus Steenstrup demonstrates an octopus hectocotylus arm is used to transfer sperm.

1993
Protection of Octopuses

The United Kingdom legislates a law to protect the common octopus.

2016
Sighting of Strange Octopus

A ‘ghostly’ octopus is captured on video by the Okeanos Explorer, at a depth of 14,000 feet under the ocean’s surface.

2017
Octopus Biomimicry

A German robotics company makes an arm with a soft pneumatically controlled silicone gripper able to grasp objects.

World Octopus Day FAQs

Are all octopuses venomous?

According to a reliable study, all octopuses have venom. However, only the blue-ringed octopuses have venom that is lethal to humans.

Are octopuses friendly to humans?

Octopuses are playful, resourceful, and inquisitive. Some species cuddle with one another, while others have been known to bond with humans.

Why do octopuses die after mating?

The male octopus dies after mating because it has used up all of its body’s energy in growing, then in mating, leaving next to nothing for staying alive.

Do octopuses have scales?

While octopuses have gills and are cold-blooded, they do not have backbones or scales. As a matter of fact, they don’t even have bones, hence their high flexibility.

How To Celebrate World Octopus Day

  1. Visit a local aquarium to see live octopuses

    A live octopus is one graceful sight to behold. Make it a date to visit one at an aquarium near you.

  2. Make octopus art

    A yarn octopus, toilet paper roll octopus, or a drawing or painting of an octopus are some of the artistic things you could do. Put your skillful hands to work!

  3. Create awareness about octopuses

    Share awesome facts about octopuses with people and also, importantly, the need to guard against their extinction, due to man’s excessive hunting of them.

5 Facts About Octopuses That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. Their blood is blue

    Octopuses have blue blood due to the presence of copper in the protein hemocyanin, which carries oxygen around their body.

  2. Regeneration

    If an octopus loses an arm, it has the ability to grow it back.

  3. They vary widely in kind

    There are over 300 known species of octopus in the world.

  4. They can be very large

    The biggest recorded octopus specimen had an arm span of 33 feet and weighed almost 600 lbs.

  5. They swim really fast

    An octopus can swim nearly 25 miles per hour for short distances.

Why We Love World Octopus Day

  1. It connects us with nature

    This day increases our connection with and appreciation of the wonders of nature. This experience can be very inspiring and relaxing.

  2. Shows appropriate appreciation for their amazing features

    With interesting facts about octopuses shared on this day, we get to know about the features that make them spectacular. This naturally stirs a deep appreciation for them.

  3. It gives us a delicious meal to savor

    As much as we cherish octopuses, we can’t deny how tasty and delicious a bowl of octopus soup is. This day opens the door to experiencing that delicacy, which is also a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

World Octopus Day dates

YearDateDay
2024October 8Tuesday
2025October 8Wednesday
2026October 8Thursday
2027October 8Friday
2028October 8Sunday

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