Octopuses. Ocean Geniuses

by
Sophie Walker

Meet Kolo. He is a common octopus living in a bright, colorful coral reef. Kolo has eight long arms, two big eyes, and a very clever brain. He loves to explore the deep blue sea. Did you know that octopuses have been on Earth for millions of years? They are some of the oldest and smartest creatures in the ocean!

Did you know that octopuses are masters of disguise? Kolo can change his color in less than a second! When he wants to hide from a hungry fish, he uses special cells in his skin. If he sits on a red rock, he turns bright red. If he moves to a patch of green seaweed, he turns green. He can blend in perfectly with his surroundings.

It is not just about color! Kolo can also change the texture of his skin. To look like a bumpy rock, he makes his skin rough and jagged. To look like smooth sand, he makes his skin flat and soft. This is called camouflage. It helps Kolo stay safe and hide from predators. Can you see him hiding against the jagged stones?

Kolo has some amazing body secrets. Did you know he has three hearts? Two hearts pump blood to his gills, and one pumps blood to the rest of his body. His friend Pip the crab is very surprised to learn this! Also, Kolo’s blood is not red like yours—it is bright blue! This helps him survive in cold water with very little oxygen.

Octopuses are famous for being great problem-solvers. They love to figure out puzzles! Scientists have seen octopuses like Kolo open jars to get to the food inside. Kolo uses his strong, flexible arms and hundreds of tiny suckers to grip the lid. He twists and turns until—pop!—the jar is open and he can enjoy his shrimp snack.

Did you know that some octopuses use tools? Kolo and Pip found two halves of a coconut shell on the sandy floor. Kolo picks them up and carries them under his arms. When he feels tired or scared, he pulls the shells together to make a little house. He is one of the few animals in the world smart enough to use objects this way.

Kolo is very flexible because he has no bones. The only hard part of his body is a sharp beak, like a parrot’s, hidden under his arms. Did you know that if Kolo’s beak can fit through a hole, his whole body can too? He can squeeze through tiny cracks in rocks to escape from danger or find a cozy place to sleep.

Where do you keep your brain? In your head, of course! But Kolo is different. He has a main brain in his head, but he also has “mini-brains” in each of his eight arms! Each arm can taste, touch, and move on its own without Kolo even thinking about it. His arms are like eight smart helpers that work together.

Kolo is very curious and likes to play. He can learn to navigate mazes and even recognize different human faces. Pip the crab thinks Kolo is the smartest friend in the ocean. Octopuses often play with objects, pushing them around just for fun, which is a sign of a very high intelligence.

The ocean is a big place full of many wonders, and Kolo the octopus is one of its greatest geniuses. From changing colors to solving puzzles, he proves that you don’t need to be big to be brilliant. Next time you think of the sea, remember Kolo and his eight clever, busy arms!