How many legs does an octopus have?

Published Aug 15, 2008

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London - How many legs does an octopus have? The answer should be easy. But not any more.

Recent research suggests they are not really eight-legged denizens of the deep, as popularly assumed - instead they use their front limbs more like arms and can even tackle a Rubik's Cube.

Octopuses use their back two limbs largely for propulsion and use the front six for a variety of tasks, with the front two doing most of the exploratory work, says Alex Gerard, the curator of the Sea Life centre in Brighton.

About 16 Sea Life aquariums in Britain and Europe studied their Giant Pacific, Common and Lesser Octopuses in co-ordinated tests.

"In all the tests, we found they tend to favour particular limbs, which tends to give them a legs-and-arms type of layout," Gerard said.

"Their front two tentacles are used for a lot of exploratory work.

"Those immediately behind them will also be used if further investigation is needed.

"The further back you go, the more the limbs are used for propulsion and movement.

"From what we've seen, all the limbs basically have the same capabilities. But octopuses seem to favour this system and it works well for them.

"With live prey the system helps them when they are sneaking up, with the front limbs ready to pounce and the back ones being used for propulsion."

During the tests, the octopuses got to play with Rubik's Cubes - although none managed to solve one.

"A happy octopus is one that is being constantly entertained," Gerard said.

"We wanted objects that would withstand an octopus exploring them, but also stimulate them.

"Things that were colourful were helpful.

"The Giant Pacific Octopus, which is the largest species in the world, had the ability to move sections of the Rubik's Cube."

The findings are expected to be finalised, written up and published in scientific journals. - Sapa-AFP

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