Dec 16, 2009: Octopus Uses Coconut as Shelter

Elspode · 12-15-2009, 06:21 PM

You've gotta be really quick if you're going to post an IOTD here. This is the first I've done since the option for anyone to post them was opened up.

We know octopi are smart. We've already got a video somewhere on here of one opening a jar. But now it seems we're finding out that they snag and use coconuts as shelter.

This *is* a pretty cool revelation, and it is being cited as a unique example of tool use by an invertebrate. Now, I'm no taxonomist, but...what about hermit crabs and the shells they glom onto? Isn't this basically the same behavior?

Nevertheless, it is an interesting view of a critter that we assume to be inferior to ourselves.

Fun video here.

lumberjim · 12-15-2009, 06:59 PM

mmmmm.....irony

TheMercenary · 12-15-2009, 07:03 PM

"Don't Ink Me Bro"

monster · 12-15-2009, 07:09 PM

ha! I was just going to post the same thing. That is so cool.

Octopus in coconut mmm-mmmm

ZenGum · 12-15-2009, 07:19 PM

Already boneless and in a natural crockpot...

and easy.

Happy Monkey · 12-15-2009, 07:36 PM

An interesting detail is that coconuts don't naturally break like that- those are human-opened coconut husks.

lumberjim · 12-15-2009, 07:44 PM

or screw top coconuts

Elspode · 12-15-2009, 07:51 PM

I win...I had pictures and shit. NO...wait...I'm not unique and important!!!

Where's that shotgun?

Oh, wait. No, I'm good. I used the proper plural for more than one octopus.

monster · 12-15-2009, 07:58 PM

Octopussies is funnier, tho'

richlevy · 12-15-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

Nevertheless, it is an interesting view of a critter that we assume to be inferior to ourselves.

No, just tastier.

jinx · 12-15-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

No, I'm good. I used the proper plural for more than one octopus.

Orly?

Quote:

wiki
The term octopus, pronounced /ˈɒktəpʊs/, is from Greek ὀκτάπους (oktapous), "eight-footed",[29][30] with plural forms: octopuses /ˈɒktəpʊsɪz/, octopi /ˈɒktəpaɪ/, or octopodes /ɒkˈtɒpədiːz/. Currently, octopuses is the most common form in the US as well as the UK; octopodes is rare, and octopi is often objectionable.[31]

The Oxford English Dictionary (2004 update[32]) lists octopuses, octopi and octopodes (in that order); it labels octopodes "rare", and notes that octopi derives from the mistaken assumption that octōpūs is a second declension Latin noun, which it is not. Rather, it is a Latinization of Greek third-declension masculine oktṓpous (ὀκτώπους, 'eight-foot'), plural oktṓpodes (ὀκτώποδες). If the word were native to Latin, it would be octōpēs, plural octōpedes, after the pattern of pēs ('foot'), plural pedēs, analogous to "Centipede"[33]. The actual Latin word for octopus and other similar species is polypus, from Greek polýpous (πολύπους, 'many-foot'); usually the inaccurate plural polypī is used instead of polypodēs.

monster · 12-15-2009, 08:33 PM

.

ZenGum · 12-15-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinx

Orly?

I think what you have to do is count the tentacles and convert that to the appropriate prefix. Thus:
One creature = eight tentacles = an octopus
Two creatures = 16 tentacles = a hexadecapus
Three creatures = 24 tentacles = a quadricosopus

You have to check carefully to see if one has lost a tentacle.

If you're talking about the species in general, try a plethorapus.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-16-2009, 12:04 AM

Balderdash, it's a Squid. :p

SPUCK · 12-16-2009, 04:41 AM

octopodes?!?

Octopi is objectionable...

12-15-2009, 06:21 PM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Dec 16, 2009: Octopus Uses Coconut as Shelter You've gotta be really quick if you're going to post an IOTD here. This is the first I've done since the option for anyone to post them was opened up. We know octopi are smart. We've already got a video somewhere on here of one opening a jar. But now it seems we're finding out that they snag and use coconuts as shelter. This is a pretty cool revelation, and it is being cited as a unique example of tool use by an invertebrate. Now, I'm no taxonomist, but...what about hermit crabs and the shells they glom onto? Isn't this basically the same behavior? Nevertheless, it is an interesting view of a critter that we assume to be inferior to ourselves. Fun video here. Attached Images __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 12-16-2009 at 12:06 AM. Reason: format

12-15-2009, 06:59 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	mmmmm.....irony __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

12-15-2009, 07:03 PM	#3
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	"Don't Ink Me Bro" __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

12-15-2009, 07:09 PM	#4
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	ha! I was just going to post the same thing. That is so cool. Octopus in coconut mmm-mmmm __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-15-2009, 07:19 PM	#5
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Already boneless and in a natural crockpot... and easy. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-15-2009, 07:36 PM	#6
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	An interesting detail is that coconuts don't naturally break like that- those are human-opened coconut husks. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

12-15-2009, 07:44 PM	#7
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	or screw top coconuts __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

12-15-2009, 07:51 PM	#8
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I win...I had pictures and shit. NO...wait...I'm not unique and important!!! Where's that shotgun? Oh, wait. No, I'm good. I used the proper plural for more than one octopus. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

12-15-2009, 07:58 PM	#9
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Octopussies is funnier, tho' __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-15-2009, 08:33 PM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	. Attached Images __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-16-2009, 12:04 AM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Balderdash, it's a Squid. :p __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-16-2009, 04:41 AM	#15
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	octopodes?!? Octopi is objectionable...

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