Octopus and Coconut shells

Prove that Octopi are smart animals, even if they have no bones....

Here is a recent news article :
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091214-octopus-carries-coconuts-coconut-carrying.html
that describes how one species of octopus uses coconut shells as environmental protection. Even chimps only use tools for food, not protection.

Very enjoyable videos in article :D

Cephalopod Facts

Octopus or (Octopuses/octopi/octopodes)

The have a very short lifespan!
Smaller pygmy octopuses live around 6 months (these types are usually your pets) and the Giant Pacific Octopus lives between 3-5 years, possibly longer in colder water !!

The mother octopus lays eggs, stops eating, hides in her den, and withers away ~tear.

Squid or (Squid/squids) - squid can be plural, squids usually refers to multiple species

Skin:
- have chromatophores - produce color changes
- photophores - produce light (believe this if for group communication)

Blood:
- have hemocyanin (instead of hemoglobin) which provides oxidation by using copper (instead of iron) as a carrier of sulfide H2O (instead of oxygen)
- this "blue blood" is less viscous, making it very efficient at oxygenating gills.

Movement:
- Jet propulsion - water pushed through funnel in mantel, very efficent at pushing water over gills.


Cephalopods

gelatinous tissue - filled with ammonium ions - to approximate sea water buoyancy !!