Octopuses are ocean oddities with a surprising feature—they have three hearts! Two of these hearts pump blood to the gills, where oxygen gets picked up, while the third heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. What’s even weirder? The main heart stops beating when an octopus swims, which is one reason they prefer crawling—it’s less taxing on their system. This setup helps them survive in the deep sea, where oxygen levels can be low.

Each heart plays a role in keeping the octopus alive, but their blood is copper-based, not iron-based like ours, which is why it’s blue, not red. Octopuses also have a knack for changing color to blend into their surroundings, thanks to special cells called chromatophores. With over 300 species, they’re found in every ocean, from shallow reefs to the dark abyss. They’re also super smart, known for escaping tanks and solving puzzles in aquariums. This three-heart system is just one bite of what makes octopuses so fascinating.

Next time you’re at the beach, imagine an octopus pumping its three hearts under the waves—it’s a science snack that’ll make you see the ocean differently. Share this with your friends and come back for more on Bitefact!