octopuses

Scientists and ocean writers are highlighting the dumbo octopus, the pink, ear-finned deep-sea cephalopod, as a symbol for ocean conservation. The animal, which lives thousands of metres down, is being used to draw attention to how little is known about deep-sea ecosystems and why they need protection from threats like mining and warming waters.

A new study published in Science Advances examines the mechanics and physics behind the extraordinary flexibility and dexterity of octopus arms. Commenters are sharing the paper while praising octopuses for their intelligence and skill, with some taking the opportunity to criticise Prevagen, the memory supplement marketed with jellyfish ingredients that regulators have challenged. The research is drawing attention for its insights into soft-body movement and potential robotics applications.

An octopus has three hearts, and the systemic heart that pumps blood to the body stops beating while the animal swims, making swimming exhausting. This is why octopuses prefer crawling along the seafloor. Their blood is also blue, due to a copper-based protein called hemocyanin that carries oxygen instead of the iron-based hemoglobin in humans.

Scientists have identified the world's third-known octopus nursery, a site where large numbers of octopus eggs and brooding females have been found on the seafloor. Only two such nurseries were previously documented, making the discovery significant for understanding octopus reproduction and deep-sea ecosystems. Researchers say the finding highlights how much of the ocean remains unexplored and is drawing wide attention from marine science audiences.

Indie developer TeaMonsterGames announced that MNOZ, the sequel to My Nuclear Octopus Game, features different arena layouts from the original. The game starts out looking similar but adds surprises as players progress. A free 16-level demo is available, and the studio is encouraging players to wishlist MNOZ on Steam ahead of release.

A Popular Science report highlights that octopuses can use mirrors, adding to growing evidence of their unusual intelligence among invertebrates. Mirror self-recognition has long been considered a marker of advanced cognition, previously demonstrated mainly in mammals, birds and fish. The finding is drawing interest from scientists and marine biology enthusiasts discussing what it reveals about the evolution of intelligent behavior.

A fisherman's wife from Saroma Town, Hokkaido, has won a fitness contest after successfully losing weight, moving past what she called an 'auntie figure'. She says she slimmed down without fighting hunger, eating local seafood such as scallops, salmon and octopus. The story has drawn attention as a lighthearted local health and diet success.

A free demo of MNOZ - My Nuclear Octopus 2, the sequel to the indie game about a nuclear-powered octopus, is now available on Steam. The developer thanked playtesters and supporters who helped along the way, and players can now try the demo ahead of the full release.

A new look at the dumbo octopus, the pale pink deep-sea cephalopod named for its ear-like fins, is drawing attention for what it says about life in the ocean's deepest zones. Coverage highlights the animal's unusual appearance and its role as a symbol of how little is known about deep-sea ecosystems, and why protecting them matters.

Researchers photographing deep-sea life captured an octopus strikingly similar to Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants, alongside dozens of species previously unknown to science. The expedition documented 57 entirely new marine species, drawing widespread attention for both its scientific value and the cartoon lookalike, which quickly became the focus of lighthearted online discussion.

Science Friday has published a roundup of its favorite cephalopods from film and television, celebrating octopuses, squids and cuttlefish as depicted in popular entertainment. The piece highlights how these intelligent, shape-shifting animals have long fascinated audiences and filmmakers alike, appearing in everything from horror and adventure stories to children's animation and documentary features.