Some of the animals can get bored or stressed to such an extent that it will conduct self-mutilation. This will never be caused by a healthy octopus in optimum conditions like the natural environment. It appears that the animal is causing hurt to itself on purpose, however, they are simply responding to the situation which is termed as habituation.īad husbandry and bad handling are what causes such situations for the octopus. The dog tends to keep the habit of the licking even after the infection is removed. It is similar to the constant licking of the paws by the dog who continues to do so till it bleeds which results due to a secondary infection. In such cases, the stressed octopus dies along with its tattering arms.
However, in the captive circumstances that are mostly caused by the bad quality of water, the infection in the arms of the octopus is not removed. The biting process helps the octopus in getting rid of the infected arm and it is hoped that a healthy arm regrows. It is a fact that an octopus can lose an arm, without getting hurt and can further regrow it. The process of eating itself is considered to be resulting because of irritation and the eating process aggravates the affected area. It is also believed that this process is initiated by a bacteria or a virus that finds a way out to take control over the stressed octopus. This is because stress further results in increasing chances of infection. When any animal including the octopus is stressed, it is not considered to be a healthy sign. This process is called as autophagy which occurs when the animal is stressed. Octopuses have been proved to be suffering from self-cannibalism. Octopuses have jaws that are shaped like beaks. There is a modification of the foot of the mollusk which forms like tentacles or arms which further encompasses the mouth. These creatures have bilateral symmetry along with a very prominent head. The term “Octopus” refers to the creatures that only belong to the genus of Octopus. It does not have any secondary armature though.
It is characterized by eight arms along with having simple suckers all over its body. Octopus is a cephalopod that belongs to the Octopoda order of living creature.