Siren's Link To Sea: September 2025

9/30/25

RED OCTOPUS

9/27/25

THE EIGHT SURPRISES OF AN OCTOPUS (SEEMS TO ME THERE'S MORE THAN EIGHT!)

HOW MANY CAN YOU GUESS?

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM : United Kingdom on OCTOPUS SURPRISES

THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE BRAIN...

THEY CAN RECOGNIZE PEOPLE ...

THE SEA IS FULL OF ORPHAN OCTOPUSES! ....

9/23/25

DNA PROVES OCTOPUS' ARE ALIEN CREATURES? DO THEY MEAN FROM ANOTHER PLANET OR WHAT?

OCTOPUS ORG : DNA PROVES OCTOPUSES ARE ALIEN CREATURES DNA

This is a long interesting article. Here's a teaser:

Excerpt: Scientists recently sequenced the first genome in the Octopus Genome Project, a huge undertaking to map out the entire DNA structure of the complex cephalopod. What they found was simply incredible.

Researchers at the University of Chicago took on this project and chose the California two-spot octopus for their subject. Then, they learned that a group at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan was working to break down the genome as well. So the two combined forces, and together, unlocked many of the mysteries surrounding the octopus. The results were recently published in the science journal, Nature.

Octopuses have 33,000 genes, roughly 10,000 more than a human. This alone sets it apart from any other invertebrate in the world. They are also uncannily clever, with the ability to open jars, solve puzzles, and even use tools. It’s no wonder that some might think this creature is from another planet. In uncovering the sequence, scientists found that octopuses have a similar set of genes to those found in humans, that make up a neural network in their brains, which accounts for their quick ability to adapt and learn. We also share a large brain, closed circulatory system, and eyes with an iris, retina, and lens. All of these independently developed in another species vastly different from our own mammal origins. ...

9/20/25

PETA DEMANDS OCTOPUS BE RELEASED : SAN ANTONIO AQUARIUM CONTROVERSY

SAN ANTONIO CURRENT : PETA DEMANDS OCTOPUS RELEASE

Excerpt: “This slimy facility’s exploitative encounters are a recipe for disaster, as injuries abound when timid animals such as octopuses are denied everything natural and important to them and subjected to a barrage of grabbing hands,” PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Wildlife Rebecca Smudzinski said in a statement.

Smudzinski continued: “For everyone’s sake, PETA is calling on the San Antonio aquarium to stop forcing wild animals to interact with humans and release this octopus to her natural habitat, if possible, or an accredited facility where she can finally live in peace.”

***

Siren here.

I have mixed feelings about aquariums. I do see them as educational. Most people will never get to see creatures of the sea in person because most people do not live near coastlines, go whale watching, sail, or have any other opportunity other than going to the aquarium. I would say that many people who go into Marine Biology or care about Ocean ecology got their first clue that they were interested by going to an aquarium.

Also, I do think it should be hands off the sea creatures, even the common tide pool creatures and in general most sea creatures should live out their lives in their natural environment.

And also, changes to our - and their- environment seem to be threatening these sea creatures so that some of them are currently depending on us to avoid extinction.

I'm open to your comments! (Please speak with respect!)

9/18/25

OUCH THOSE SUCKERS HURT! SIX YEAR OLD AND OCTOPUS IN SAN ANTONIO HAVE A CONFLICT

N BC NEWS : BOY INJURED WHEN OCTOPUS HOLDS ON Go to the link to see the photos!

Yep... he got sucker bruises... But what happened that the octopus decided to grab on?

Excerpt: Meg Mindlin, an octopus biologist, said octopuses "sense and explore their environment" using their arms, and rely on taste sensors in their suction cups to understand what is going on in their world.

9/16/25

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR HOW TO RECYCLE SOMETHING?

I'm always interested in any ideas or information on how to recycle things, especially PLASTICS, so that we can combat the SEA OF PLASTIC as well as all other forms of PLASTIC POLLUTION!

Please leave a comment, including any links to information you'd like me to read!

THANKS!

Siren

9/14/25

SWIMMING IN THE AIR

9/10/25

DRAW A SAND TIGER SHARK

OCEANA on SAND TIGER SHARKS

Excerpt: The sand tiger shark lives worldwide near the seafloor in surf zones, shallow bays and coral and rocky reefs. They are a large species, growing to a maximum length of 10.5 feet (3.2 m) and weight of 350 pounds (159 kg). The sand tiger shark is the only shark that is known to maintain neutral buoyancy by gulping air at the water’s surface and holding it in its stomach. This allows the sand tiger shark to hover motionless in the water.