An Unusual Circulatory System

Octopuses are fascinating sea creatures with one of the most unique circulatory systems in the animal kingdom. They have three hearts two pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps it to the rest of the body. Interestingly, the heart that supplies the body actually stops beating when the octopus swims, which is one reason why octopuses prefer crawling over swimming.

Blue Blood and Survival

Unlike humans, octopuses have blue blood, due to a copper-based molecule called hemocyanin that transports oxygen. Hemocyanin is more efficient than hemoglobin (the iron-based molecule in human blood) in cold, low-oxygen environments, making it perfect for deep-sea survival. These adaptations help octopuses thrive in diverse ocean habitats, from shallow reefs to the dark ocean floor. Shutdown123