Trivia question for Mar-16-2011

Carter decided on finding a common species to highlight, but thinks his questions will be challenging.  Let’s see.  The Common Octopus is a master of camouflage and one of the most advanced invertebrates, with superb vision and an armory of weapons.

The Common Octopus hunts at dusk. Crabs, crayfish and bivalve mollusks (two-shelled molluscs such as cockles) are preferred, although the octopus will eat almost anything it can catch. It is able to change colour to blend in with its surroundings, and is able to jump upon any unwary prey that strays across its path. The prey is paralyzed by a nerve poison, which the octopus secretes, and the octopus is able to grasp its prey using its powerful tentacles with their two rows of suckers.

So here are Carter’s questions:  Tell us how octopus leave their mark, after being eaten by cetaceans and seals.  Also tell us what the Hawaiian name for octopus is and what it means?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to Rich for being the first with the correct answers.  Carter was sure he had everyone stumped with his questions but not this time.  The Hawaiian name for the Octopus is He’e, which means ‘sliding ghost’ due to its fluid motion.

The everlasting mark they leave on any animal large enough to eat them is their beak.  That’s right, the beak is indigestible and often embeds itself in a mammals stomach lining… ouch.  Rich was also correct with his comment, mammals are often found with suction cup marks on their body from octopus trying to avoid being eaten.  Here is more info on these masters of camouflage:  Common Octopus

Thanks for playing along 😉