How long have our cephalopod masters ruled the Earth? Apparently at least 95 million years. Of course, as the article points out, octopus fossils do not form easily. And that means that something that appears to be an octopus fossil is not necessarily complete, and might in fact be something else entirely…
Squid
Cephalopod Friday
Yes, it is that time of the week again. PZ Myers has found something very disturbing. I, however, have found something incredibly cool, thanks to the good people at Deep Sea News. Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present, the Blanket Octopus!
Octopus v Shark
One of the oceanography web sites that I follow has just posted a top ten of marine invertebrate videos. You can see them all here, but I’ve chosen just one to share with my tentacle-loving friends. Giant octopus v shark – who would win? Nah, not even close. Don’t watch this if you are nervous about tentacled monstrosities, or if you are fond of sharks.
Google Ocean to Launch Today
Oh my, I might have to buy another computer just so that I can use this. (My laptop’s graphics don’t handle Google Earth well).
There are bound to be squid, right?
Update: The BBC has a promo video. No squid, but it does have shark. I’m sure there will be squid.
Merry Squidmass
PZ Myers is in a festive mood.
Now I shall spend the evening wondering what a non-Euclidian Christmas tree looks like.
Today Is…
…International Cephalopod Appreciation Day.
Shake a tentacle, buddy.
And because we all need some cheering up in these days of economic gloom, here’s Kermit.
Six Arms, Two Legs
The limbs of an octopus all look pretty much alike to us, but that doesn’t mean that they are all the same to their owner. Recent research at the Sea Life Centre in Brighton suggests that while the limbs can all be used interchangeably, the normal pattern of behavior fits a pattern of six arms and two legs. The researchers are also turning up other interesting aspects of these marvelous creatures:
Gerard conducted tests on Popeye, a Lesser Octopus at the Brighton centre.
“Octopuses do have very strong personalities. They do develop their own favourite toys,” he explained.
“My octopus hates the colour red — that’s quite a natural response in nature — but he particularly likes yellow. We’re starting to build a profile for different octopus,” Gerard added.
And during the tests, the octopuses got to play with some particularly challenging toys, namely Rubik’s Cubes — though none have managed to solve one yet.
Yet.
Tentacle Porn for Cars
I’d buy one of these for Jeff VanderMeer in a shot, if it wasn’t advertising someone else’s book.
Tentacles Galore
Ann and Jeff VanderMeer’s art column in io9 has a new feature on the utterly wonderful The Art of Lovecraft: Artists Inspired by Lovecraft, including a gallery of images from the book and interviews with luminaries such as Bob Eggleton, John Picacio and John Coulthart. On his own blog Jeff has added a few outtakes that didn’t quite make it into the io9 column. Tentacles everywhere. (And yes, it is Cephalopod Friday).
More Tentacle Porn
The phrase “tentacle porn” is one of the top searches by which people find this blog, so I try to keep using it. Fortunately I don’t need to come up with subjects myself. Over at Pharyngula, PZ Myers posts a picture of a new tentacled beauty every week. I try not to link to all of them, but this week’s is particularly spectacular. Nautilus.
More Tentacle Porn
Looking through my RSS feeds this morning, I noticed an article about Octopuses in The Guardian, however, it turned out to be the same story I linked to on Tuesday. I guess it must be a slow news day in Britain.
Giant Squid Alert
Suddenly I have a reason to go to Paris. A 21 foot long giant squid has arrived in the French Museum of Natural History. And it is a real squid – caught off New Zealand, and with its innards “plastinated” to prevent it from decaying and ponging, and allowing it to be displayed outside of a formaldehyde-filled jar. The squid is called “Wheke”, which is short for “Te Wheke o Muturangi”. That’s not a Hurricanes war cry.
Tentacle Porn
Or lack thereof…
Introducing Henry the Hexapus. (Thanks person on LJ friend list with locked post.)
Squid-tastic!
Just in case there are any of you out there who don’t read the world’s most popular blog, Cory has discovered the ultimate present for squid fans. And yes, Jeff is first in the queue.
Tentacled Goodness
Via Jeff VanderMeer I discover that yesterday was International Cephalopod Awareness Day and I missed it. Waaaaaa!!!!!
Still, I can make up for it now. Jeff made two posts (here and here). You should also check out the giant octopus page at the very wonderful Monterey Bay Aquarium. And finally, something I discovered during my visit to Copenhagen for the Eurocon. Go here and check out the coat of arms. Does that not remind you of a Great Freshwater Squid rising from the waves? Clear evidence of squid worship amongst the ancient vikings, if you ask me.