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Can an octopus really detach one of its legs when threatened by a predator?

+3 votes
I heard that if an octopus is threatened it can 'release' one of its legs and swim away...is this true?
asked Mar 28, 2013 in Aquatic Pets by (1,540 points)
edited Mar 28, 2013 by

1 Answer

+2 votes
 
Best answer
It seems like something a you would see in a space alien  movie...An organism is under attack and boom! a leg detaches! But, tis no movie, it's real life and its called autotomy. When under attack, some octopuses can perform arm autotomy and detach their arms, (the same way lizards can perform tail autotomy and detach their tails). The moving arm serves as a distraction to would-be predators and provides the octopus the chance to escape.
answered Mar 28, 2013 by (1,540 points)
selected Apr 3, 2013 by mamairis

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