Elspode Tuesday Dec 15 07:21 PMDec 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.
lumberjim Tuesday Dec 15 07:59 PMmmmmm.....irony
TheMercenary Tuesday Dec 15 08:03 PM"Don't Ink Me Bro"
monster Tuesday Dec 15 08:09 PMha! I was just going to post the same thing. That is so cool.
Octopus in coconut mmm-mmmm
ZenGum Tuesday Dec 15 08:19 PMAlready boneless and in a natural crockpot... and easy.
Happy Monkey Tuesday Dec 15 08:36 PMAn interesting detail is that coconuts don't naturally break like that- those are human-opened coconut husks.
lumberjim Tuesday Dec 15 08:44 PMor screw top coconuts
Elspode Tuesday Dec 15 08:51 PMI 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 Tuesday Dec 15 08:58 PMOctopussies is funnier, tho'
richlevy Tuesday Dec 15 09:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elspode
Nevertheless, it is an interesting view of a critter that we assume to be inferior to ourselves.
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No, just tastier.
jinx Tuesday Dec 15 09:03 PM
Quote:
No, I'm good. I used the proper plural for more than one octopus.
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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 polępous (πολύπους, 'many-foot'); usually the inaccurate plural polypī is used instead of polypodēs.
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monster Tuesday Dec 15 09:33 PM.
ZenGum Tuesday Dec 15 09:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jinx
Orly?
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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 Wednesday Dec 16 01:04 AMBalderdash, it's a Squid. :p
SPUCK Wednesday Dec 16 05:41 AMoctopodes?!?
Octopi is objectionable...
DanaC Wednesday Dec 16 07:24 AMyehbut....what about octo pie? That's just damned tasty.
Trilby Wednesday Dec 16 07:37 AMugh. you nerds are just gross sometimes!
you guys: "Oh, yay! Let's watch Star Trek [or Dr. Who *stares pointedly at Dana*] or some obscure DVD no one but us knows about and eat HIGHLY UNLIKELY things like calamari in coconut shells or deer antlers dipped in Hellman's or Creature of the Black Lagoon canapes and then argue about fractals and blah blah blah!"
Me: (blowing smoke rings with my Marlboro) "you guys are gross."
DanaC Wednesday Dec 16 08:11 AM*blinks*
Trilby Wednesday Dec 16 09:20 AMnerds are always blinking.
PS I don't really smoke. I just want to look cool in front of the big kids.
DanaC Wednesday Dec 16 10:35 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brianna
nerds are always blinking.
.
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That's 'cause we live in semi-darkness.
Clodfobble Wednesday Dec 16 11:00 AMNo no no. If you blink you might miss something important on the screen.
xoxoxoBruce Wednesday Dec 16 11:01 AMIn caves.
Gravdigr Thursday Dec 17 03:33 PMI lost my octopus on 9/11, you insensitive bass turds.
Sundae Thursday Dec 17 04:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clodfobble
No no no. If you blink you might miss something important on the screen.
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"Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink. Good Luck."
DanaC Thursday Dec 17 04:29 PM*screams in terror*
beauregaardhooligan Friday Dec 25 04:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenGum
Already boneless and in a natural crockpot... and easy.
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One of my favorite dishes from my years on Maui, and the *best* recipe for "Tako" was cooked in coconut milk.
How con*vie*nient!
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