Why an Octopus?

We asked ourselves.

As we embark on this mad adventure, what spirit animal (in this case cephalopod) possesses all of the mutant powers we need to ensure success in our journey?

Three Hearts: Two hearts pump blood through the gills, while the third circulates oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When an octopus swims, its main heart temporarily stops, which is why they prefer crawling.

Blue Blood: Their blood uses a copper-based protein called hemocyanin instead of iron-based hemoglobin, making it blue and efficient for cold, low-oxygen environments.

Nine Brains: A central brain controls the body, but about 60% to two-thirds of an octopus's neurons live in its arms. Each arm can taste, touch, and move independently. 

Extreme Flexibility: With no bones or internal skeleton, an octopus can squeeze through any opening that fits its hard, parrot-like beak. 

Masters of Camouflage: Specialized skin cells called chromatophores, iridophores, and leucophores let them change color, pattern, and texture in a fraction of a second.

High Intelligence: They solve complex mazes, open screw-top jars, use tools like coconut shells for shelter, and show playful behavior

Distributed brain: More than two-thirds of an octopus's neurons are located in its arms rather than its central brain.

Independent arms: Each arm can taste, touch, and move semi-autonomously without waiting for instructions from the head.

Tasting with suckers: The suction cups are lined with chemoreceptors that let octopuses taste everything they touch.

Tons of suckers: A single common octopus can have around 240 suction cups on each arm.

Super strength: A single suction cup can hold up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of weight.

Regrowing arms: If an octopus loses an arm, it can completely regenerate a new one.

Not always eight arms: Ancient ancestors of octopuses had ten limbs.

Ancient lineage: Fossil evidence shows ancestors of octopuses lived over 328 million years ago.