Octopus!: The Most Mysterious Creature in the Sea [Paperback]

“A pleasant, chatty book on a fascinating subject.” —Kirkus Reviews

Octopuses have been captivating humans for as long as we have been catching them. Yet for all of our ancient fascination and modern research, we still have not been able to get a firm grasp on these enigmatic creatures.

Katherine Harmon Courage dives into the mystifying underwater world of the octopus and reports on her research around the world. She reveals, for instance, that the oldest known octopus lived before the first dinosaurs; that two thirds of an octopus’s brain capacity is spread throughout its arms, meaning each literally has a mind of its own; and that it can change colors within milliseconds to camouflage itself, yet appears to be colorblind.

book, Katherine Harmon Courage makes this creature a little less mysterious, but no less marvelous.”
—CARL ZIMMER, author of A Planet of VirusesandThe Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution

“What is it like to be an octopus? We need to imagine that our arms, all eight of them, can think and that our skin can see. Despite our obvious trouble understanding this invertebrate, no one doubts its intellect. A delightful book about a fascinating creature!”

—FRANS DE WAAL, author of The Bonobo and the Atheist

“According to this book, octopuses can sprout temporary horns. Horns! Seriously, you need to read this book.”
—WILL TRACY, editor in chief,The Onion