Octopus!: Octopus!: The Most Mysterious Creature in the Sea

By Katherine Harmon Courage

Book Overview

"A pleasant, chatty book on a fascinating subject." -- Kirkus Reviews Octopuses have been captivating humans for as long as we have been catching them. Yet for all of our ancient fascination and modern research, we still have not been able to get a firm grasp on these enigmatic creatures. Katherine Harmon Courage dives into the mystifying underwater world of the octopus and reports on her research around the world. She reveals, for instance, that the oldest known octopus lived before the first dinosaurs; that two thirds of an octopus's brain capacity is spread throughout its arms, meaning each literally has a mind of its own; and that it can change colors within milliseconds to camouflage itself, yet appears to be colorblind.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1617230146
• ISBN13: 9781617230141
• Release Date: November 2014
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Wow! What?

The octopus is an amazing creature and the more that is learned about them expands the awe and wonder about this complex, ancient animal. Their history reaches further back than that of dinosaurs! This book adds considerable research and observations about this mysterious, intelligent being, even acknowledging character and personality to specific octopuses (not “octopi” as many of us have referred to the plural). Curiously, despite their uncanny and instantaneous ability to change their appearance, researchers have discovered that octopuses are color blind! As a nonscientist, portions of this book are difficult to follow, but other portions serve to amaze. My experience reading this book offers many responses of What?! And many others of Wow! There were enough Wows nevertheless to satisfy even this nonscientist and increase my respect and curiosity for this incredible cephalopod.