TIL: These octopuses have a shell!

in STEMGeeks10 months ago (edited)

Here's something interesting I learned today!

There's a group of octopuses that actually grow their own shells!

Commonly known as argonauts or paper nautili, these octopuses belong to the genus Argonauta and are best known for the paper-thin shell females secrete. Well, not exactly a shell, as it's not secreted for protection.

Argonauta_nodosa_eggcase.png
Shell of Argonauta nodosa (source)

This shell is actually an eggcase, that interestingly looks a lot like the shells of the long extinct ammonites

Female argonauts produce a laterally-compressed calcareous eggcase in which they reside. This "shell" has a double keel fringed by two rows of alternating tubercles. The sides are ribbed with the centre either flat or having winged protrusions. source

After mating, females uses it to deposit the eggs and then take shelter in it

After she deposits her eggs in the floating eggcase, the female takes shelter in it, often retaining the male's detached hectocotylus. She is usually found with her head and tentacles protruding from the opening, but she retreats deeper inside if disturbed. source

Here's a video showing the rescue of a paper octopi to have a better idea of how they look like

And another one

Sadly, I couldn't find any high quality videos, most look like shit like the above but there are a few more on YouTube if you search on YouTube.

Another interesting fact about these octopuses is that they live close to the surface rather than on the sea floor like most of their relatives do.

Other than that, that are pretty much regular octopuses... You know, 8 tentacles, a beak and everything...

Oh, I forgot. They also have a... detachable penis 😂😂

The tiny male throws a modified arm containing spermatozoa (called a hectocotylus) at the female, which will then swim toward the female's mantle (the sac which stores her organs), finding its way inside and subsequently fertilizing the eggs. A female's eggs can actually be fertilized by more than one hectocotylus by storing them in the mantle cavity. source

So yeah, that's pretty much the basics about Argonauts octopuses. Feel free to click the links above to learn more about them.

By the way, Argonauts are not too be confused with nautilusses which may look somewhat similar but are not octopuses!

Ok, I hoped you enjoyed yet another post of me about yet another weird creature. See ya on the next one 😃

I'll close now with one last quick video

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is like the wiener shell of my car

1

But is not by nature, i need to replace it every day

1

What is that?

1

My job

lol, skipped the meds again mate ? :))

Lol, wtf ?!?!??!!

its good for the car

Crazy. Then the are like you, detachable penis….🍆😂

No you!

 10 months ago  

Once again, random finds by Trumpman.

!discovery 23

What's that discovery thing fren? Should I join?

 10 months ago  

It's a curation thing. Check your dm.

Seriously , I won't lie , I have never seen an octopus growing shell, this is wonderful to me , thanks for sharing

You are welcome ❤️

Fake News

Always

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Nice book report.

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That's fren 😂


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These videos are also quite elaborated. It looks like a shell of snail.

I think my gf would be a fan of the detachable dick. She would keep it locked up until I returned home everyday :P

Damn!!! I am sure she wouldn't be missing you too either... No offense :)

nah, she misses me whenever I'm away. A mystery to me as well :P

Hehehehe..... Then you sure know how to keep her happy.... You are doing well:)

A fine piece of art for art lovers ;)

A detachable penis seems like a great power😃

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Oh, I forgot. They also have a... detachable penis 😂😂

Haha... I had a feeling there will be an interesting addition of naughty words to this post.... I wasn't wrong ... Lol

Now I know there's an argonauts out and not only is it beautiful, it has a detachable penis

Thank you for sharing

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Very interesting, I learned something new. I'm definitely not a marine biologist!

Oh, I forgot. They also have a... detachable penis 😂😂

whatt?? that is mind blowing, are they the only specie that do that?

that's really weird

I used to have some Nautilus shells and never new they were from an Octopus.