Octopuses Have Three Hearts and Blue Blood
These incredible creatures have a circulatory system unlike anything on Earth.
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The Alien Anatomy
Octopuses are so different from other animals that they seem almost alien. Their circulatory system is one of nature's most unique designs.
Three Hearts Working Together
Each octopus has three hearts:
- Two branchial hearts: Pump blood through the gills
- One systemic heart: Pumps blood through the rest of the body
Why Blue Blood?
Their blood is blue because it contains hemocyanin instead of hemoglobin. Hemocyanin uses copper to transport oxygen, which is more efficient in cold, low-oxygen environments.
Fascinating Behavior
When an octopus swims, its systemic heart stops beating. This is why they prefer to crawl—swimming exhausts them.
Other Amazing Features
- Nine brains (one central, eight in arms)
- Can change color in milliseconds
- Can squeeze through any opening larger than their beak
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Frequently Asked Questions
Octopuses have two branchial hearts that pump blood through their gills, and one systemic heart that pumps blood through the rest of the body. This system is optimized for their aquatic environment.
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