Octopus Uses Coconut Shell as Exoskeleton

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Octopus Uses Coconut Shell as Exoskeleton

Submitted by C. S. Magor on Monday, 14 December 2009No Comment | Google Buzz |

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Video footage has emerged of octopi exhibiting some rather fascinating learned behavior; they were carrying coconut shells to use for their own protection.

Researchers observed veined octopuses (Amphioctopus marginatus) in Indonesia carrying coconut shells that were slightly larger than their 8-centimeter-wide bodies. When they needed to stop in exposed areas, they used the shells to cover themselves. Octopuses with whole shells would close the shell around their bodies, while those with half-shells would hide underneath them.

[National Geographic]