Here are some interesting facts about mother octopuses (saying "octo-mom" is just out of the question for obvious reasons!):
The female octopus births about 200,000 eggs (depending on species) at a single time, the only time in her life when she will reproduce.
She carefully cares for these eggs during the incubation period, which generally lasts for one month (once again, this time period can vary depending on the species). She blows currents of water over them to keep them oxygenated and guards them from predators. During this time, she does not hunt and begins to weaken.
Occasionally, a female octopus will ingest some of her own eggs for sustenance.
Once the eggs hatch, the babies are on their own. The mother is left weakened from the constant care she has given her hatchlings, sacrificing her own needs for theirs.
Mother octopus leaves the lair in her weakened state and is unable to fend off predators.
Even in the octopus world, a mother's love know no boundaries! THANK YOU to all the moms out there who have given so much to raise us all. Now, if you want a good laugh about octopus mommy-hood, check out this hilarious post from The Oatmeal, This is Why an Octopus is More Awesome Than Your Mom.
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