Ocean wonders

Can octopuses use tools? 10 incredible facts about these creatures

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Have you ever wondered how octopuses live? How do they hunt, feed, and escape predators? They may not be the cutest animals on Earth, but it turns out they are able to do incredible things! Recent discoveries have revealed that octopuses are much more intelligent than we ever thought. These creatures can evaluate options, strategize, and even recognize other animals, including humans! If you want to learn more, join us as we reveal these 10 surprising secrets about the life of octopuses!

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Today, we can find several species of octopus in our oceans, but this doesn't mean that they are something recent. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Octopuses have been around for a long, long time. The oldest known relative of cephalopods dates back about 330 million years. That's a really long time ago! This ancient fossil, discovered in what is now Fergus County, Montana, belonged to a creature with ten arms.

So much time navigating the seas has served them well, allowing octopuses to develop skills we humans can only dream of.

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Chameleons might be famous for their camouflage skills, but they're not the only ones with this superpower. Blending into the surroundings and becoming practically invisible is an art practiced by octopuses, too.

Even though they have many arms to hide -8, to be exact- this is not a problem for octopuses when it comes to camouflage. Octopus skin is quite different from ours: they have special cells called chromatophores that let them change not only the color of their skin but also the texture! And that's not all; this process only takes a couple of seconds, adapting their colors and textures to blend with sand, corals, rocks, and any other surface.

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Octopuses not only blend in with the colors and shapes of their surroundings but can also mimic other creatures. That's right, they are masters of disguise.

Like a comic book villain who changes appearance to trick others, the mimic octopus can alter its color and shape to resemble other animals in its environment, often choosing to impersonate the shapes of the creatures most feared and avoided by predators.

This octopus can imitate, for example, a venomous sea snake by sporting stripes of different colors and wiggling its arms in a snake-like dance, copying both its appearance and behavior!

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To imitate and adapt, octopuses need to be aware of their surroundings and recognize different places and animals. And they do it.

Octopuses can recognize other sea creatures, and some research even suggests they might recognize humans. There have been documented cases where researchers return to visit the same octopus in the sea, and the octopus often develops a gradual trust in them. Amazing!

There's a reason for all this: besides their excellent vision and sensory perception, octopuses also have an exceptional memory that helps them retain and use new information.

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Certain abilities are clear signs of high intelligence in animals, and using tools is one of those.

Octopuses use objects from their surroundings, adapting them to suit their needs. Take the veined octopus, for example. This species collects shells to use as a shelter when escaping predators or as a shield when dealing with difficult prey. Amazing, right?

But that's not all! These octopuses have also been observed gathering shells and carrying them for future use. This behavior suggests not just intelligence and good memory, but also the ability to plan ahead!

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All that knowledge and skills are packed into a huge brain.

As we've seen, octopuses offer much more than just 8 arms and an extensive color palette. These animals also have impressive intelligence and a highly complex nervous system, which is reflected in the large size of their brains. In fact, their brain-to-body ratio is one of the highest among invertebrates. In other words, their brain is really big, considering their body proportions.

Given all that this creature is capable of, the size of its brain is no surprise.

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Octopuses are great at problem-solving. They not only learn from their experiences but also remember the knowledge, locations, and animals they encounter, using this information for future situations.

All this makes them great learners and excellent performers. In different experiments, both in captivity and in the wild, octopuses have demonstrated their ability to open jars, navigate through mazes with ease, and elaborate complex strategies for hunting, among other surprising behaviors. Many octopuses, for example, hide near the paths of passing crabs and wait for the perfect moment to launch a surprise attack. A real ambush!

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A single heart isn't enough to keep a large brain, a mutable body, and 8 long tentacles irrigated.

That is why octopuses have the privilege of possessing no less than 3 hearts, all with a well-defined function. 2 of these hearts are responsible for pumping blood to the gills for oxygenation. Then, the third heart, the systemic heart, circulates the oxygenated blood throughout the rest of the body.

Want to know more? The third heart stops beating when the octopus swims!

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There's a lot we can say about octopuses, but calling them selfish isn't one of them. Why? Well, let's see.

When octopus mothers lay their eggs, they reserve all their focus, dedication, and energy to caring for them. The mother cleans, protects, and arranges the eggs, never taking her eyes off them. In doing so, it abandons all other activities, even stopping eating entirely.

Unfortunately, by not eating, the octopus becomes weak and debilitated. As a consequence, once the eggs hatch, the mother often doesn't survive.

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Octopuses might not be royalty, but they do have blue blood! That's right; these creatures never stop surprising us. First, they have 3 hearts, and now they show us blood that's literally blue!

How is it different from our blood? Human blood contains hemoglobin, which has iron and gives it its characteristic red color. On the other hand, the blood that circulates in the incredible bodies of octopuses contains a protein called hemocyanin, which is what makes the difference. Hemocyanin contains copper, which gives the blood its blue color when it's oxygenated.

PRICEY PLACES

Embark On A Journey Through 10 Of The Most Expensive Cities To Live In!

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Are you ready for a change? Moving to a new city can be quite exciting, as it offers a lot of new experiences and possibilities to discover. However, some of the world's famous metropolises have a high price, offering treasures along with a higher cost of living. Whether you are actively considering a change of permanent address or just curious about life in other parts of the world, this article is for you.

While the criteria and factors used to measure the cost of living can vary, we've selected ten of the most expensive cities to live in, and we'll tell you about their peculiarities. Join us!

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San Francisco, USA, had a spot in The Economist's 2023 ranking of the world's most expensive cities.

The beautiful city of San Francisco has a lot of attractions to offer. Just imagine waking up every day with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in your view or using the historic cable cars for a ride through the city's streets.

However, the cost of living in this city is approximately 20% higher than the state average and 70% higher than the national average, with housing being the most costly aspect.

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Copenhagen has many advantages that make it an outstanding city, with its high quality of life, healthcare, education system, and public services.

However, adjusting to life in the capital of Denmark can be challenging. While the city offers an exceptional quality of life, it also comes with a high cost of living, expensive property prices, and some of the highest taxes compared to other European cities.

But you'll likely find a way to strike a balance and enjoy life in lovely Copenhagen if you can establish yourself in the labor market. After all, it ranks among the top 10 cities in the world with the highest average salaries, offering a promising opportunity!

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Of course, the city of wine, cheese, fashion, and perfumes comes at a high price. While Paris may not always make the top 10 most expensive cities to live in, it did earn a spot on the list last year.

The Marais District, Ile Saint-Louis, and Ile de la Cité are considered some of the most expensive areas to live in Paris. However, the cost of housing is relatively high throughout the entire city.

Luckily, compared to other expensive cities on this list, the cost of delicious Parisian food is somewhat lower.

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The city of Los Angeles, California, is a world unto itself. From spectacular beaches to the glamour of Hollywood, LA invites everyone to stay and explore its magic.

Living in Los Angeles may seem simple at first, but it has its challenges. One of the main burdens is the cost of housing, which is approximately 130% more expensive than the national average. As a result, many choose to live with roommates or friends as a more affordable alternative.

In addition to housing (typically the most expensive aspect of living in any city), the cost of entertainment -abundant in the city- also tends to be higher in LA, compared to other places in the country.

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Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places to live in Asia. But if you are a fan of skyscrapers and the energy of bustling crowds, Hong Kong is the perfect paradise for you.

Many people choose to move to Hong Kong because, as a major financial and business center, it offers a wide variety of job opportunities. And that's not all; it is also known for its safety and rich cultural diversity, making it an attractive destination.

Unfortunately, living in Hong Kong comes with its costs. Due to its high population density and other factors, housing supply is limited, making it an increasingly expensive asset.

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New York is not just the most populous city in the US; it is also one of the most expensive places to live.

The Big Apple is a dynamic city where opportunities abound. With theaters, museums, universities, and a diversified job market, there are many reasons to love this city. But wait, living there comes with a high price, more than double the national average, especially in the Manhattan area.

As in other cities, the housing cost is the biggest issue. With so many people racing for limited space, it's no surprise that New York City has one of the highest costs of living in the world.

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Living in Geneva doesn't mean you have to be a winter fan. Despite the chilly temperatures that winter brings to the "Peace Capital," Geneva's summers give its inhabitants a delightful break with their warm weather.

Surrounded by the glorious Alps, Geneva ranks among the top five European cities in terms of life quality, personal safety, and average salaries. Of course, these high standards come at a price, and they are certainly not cheap.

In addition to the cost of housing, Geneva is characterized by elevated healthcare costs and high taxes. But here's the good part: with those premium healthcare services, you'll definitely be in good hands.

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Switzerland has more surprises, though some might say this particular fact isn't breaking news. Zurich claims its place as the most expensive city to live in Switzerland. In fact, it is usually in the top 5 most expensive cities in the world.

Switzerland's strong and stable economy certainly plays a significant part in Zurich's expensive reputation. However, the high costs of housing and food also play a major role.

In Zurich, you will find not only a chocolate paradise but also an international financial center that houses the headquarters of well-known banks.

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Singapore has become a popular location for many professionals around the world. This dynamic city offers numerous job and economic growth opportunities. In addition, the city-state consistently reaches top positions in international quality of life rankings. Undoubtedly, one of its highlights is the quality and efficiency of its public transportation system.

But this elevated standard of living comes with high prices in different aspects of residents' daily lives. Specifically, rent and education prices stand out as some of the most expensive services.

Wait, there is another detail to consider before moving to Singapore: chewing gum is forbidden there!

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Picture a warm island... Wouldn't it be amazing to teleport there right now? Imagine its immaculate beaches, tasty cuisine, and envy-inducing weather.

But this magical scenario hides a reality: the cost of living. Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda in the western Atlantic Ocean, makes this list as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.

With finances and international business being the most important part of Hamilton's economy, the city is always attracting new professionals. Thus, despite its modest population, the cost of renting in Hamilton is constantly rising. Add to this the high import taxes, and it is no surprise that all prices soar!