Species Spotlight · 03 Sep 2023
An octopus has three hearts. One pumps blood through its organs; the other two pump blood through its gills. Octopus blood appears blue due to haemocyanin, a copper-based protein.
Octopus lifespans vary considerably by species. Some species survive for only around six months, while others, like the North Pacific giant octopus, can live for up to five years. Generally, larger octopus species tend to have longer lifespans.
Female octopuses typically produce between 200,000 and 400,000 eggs, though this number varies by species. The mother guards her eggs obsessively until they hatch, and notably, she stops eating during this period.