Because there is nothing else like them on the planet.
So much curiosity surrounds octopuses these days. I myself only became deeply aware of them five years ago when I had the chance to interact with them up close. Since then, they have become one of my all-time favorite creature-teachers. I have learned a mountain’s worth from being curious about them. Due to their nature, there is still so much being discovered which means experts are regularly sharing new cephalopodic facts. It’s a great time to be an octo-enthusiast!
I am thankful for all the researchers out there who have supplied wonderful information about octopuses to the general public. Due to the cool way in which they have been portrayed lately, octopus are no longer only seen as scary sea monsters to be feared. I’ll share some of my favorite resources at the bottom of today’s post. PS-To pluralize the word, there are several correct forms you may use. Octopus, octopi and octopuses are all just fine, so go with whatever you prefer.
Answering the question of why I love them so much is easy.
It fascinates me that octopuses have 9 brains, 3 hearts and yet a lifespan of only 2 years. These incredible animals have such sophisticated biological engineering that it is impossible to overlook how special they are. I think of it in this way: when the octopus was created, it was done so as a brilliant life form but given the caveat of only living for a couple of years. When I think about life, the octopus almost always is part of those thoughts. Is their brevity of life fair?
Sometimes I ask myself whether I wish octopuses could live longer. But to be honest, an octopus’s life, although incredibly short in our minds, is incredibly complete as they go from birth to death. They experience everything they are meant to experience in the time that they have. So who am I to say their life isn’t exactly as it was meant to be?
What I can say is that in octopus terms, their lives send a huge message.
Do not waste your time here on earth.
Use your given, innate, natural, born-with and then developed talents Now.
Do not worry about how long you will be here.
Just do your thing and do with each day as best you can.
Why do I love octopuses so much?
Because they teach us how to trust.
As an octo-fan, I could go on and on. If you would like to learn more about these rock-stars of the sea from highly qualified people, check out some of my favorite sources:
OctoNation. (A super fun and informative fan club with a founder as cool as the octopuses themselves! I once ordered stickers and Octo Warren sent them out with a handwritten note. Super cool!) Seriously, this can be your Octo-hub. From ground-breaking science to really fun pop-culture, you’ll find almost everything you need to know here.
The Soul of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery. This is a treasure on my bookshelf. A must read when it comes to octopuses and their special souls. This book will touch your heart.
Kanaloa Octopus Farm. If it had not been for this small aquatic research facility located on the big island of Hawaii, I and many others might never have been exposed to the octopus as a living, breathing miracle. By interacting with the octopus during my short tour, I developed a lifelong, true love and passion for them as living beings to be respected and appreciated. For that experience, I am forever grateful. As of now, KOF is moving to a new facility, but still check out their website to see about their important work for octopus conservation in the face of overfishing issues.
Want a totally rad octopus tattoo? See artist Jared Blake Lazar, designer of my art, and tattoo artist, Tashana at Cheyenne Mountain Tattoo Company, who did the inking. I still love it with all my heart.
It took some time to choose just one favorite octopus fact to close with, but here is what I’ve settled on for today:
Octopuses are famous for being able to perfectly camouflage themselves to hide from predators, but did you know that they are in fact color blind? Yep. Pretty. Darn. Amazing. That’s like trying to replicate a make-up tutorial but you don’t get to see what colors the make-up artist is using. In the octopus’s case, it’s about surviving! And dare I say it again, trusting in their abilities.
What do you love that you wish others knew more about as well? If you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it.
Take care, everyone!
CARLENE LOVE FLORES 
It’s guinea pigs for me! Really can’t think of another animal as cute as they are. So many colors, shapes, sizes, hair styles to choose from. Sweet and loving, totally adorable and make the sweetest sound (whistle).
So sweet! I can really sense how much you love them from how you describe them. I was lucky to have two guinea pigs when I lived in Virginia, and I do remember their sweet little sounds. My favorite thing was when they did the “popcorning”. Their little way of hopping around like popcorn popping. Mine didn’t let me do their hair but I bet that is completely adorable and fun. I love octopuses but would never want to have one as a pet. I saw a documentary of a man who did just that and it’s incredibly expensive and difficult, although the experience was priceless for him. I have thought about getting a pet snail however, since the snail and the octopus are related in the mollusk family. Thank you for sharing!