Why Do Octopuses Tear Themselves Apart After Mating?

Live Science

Octopus mothers slam themselves against rocks and eat their own arms before their eggs hatch. Scientists have discovered what leads to the self-destruction.

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00:00 [Music]

00:07 For most octopus moms, brooding eggs is the last thing she'll ever do.

00:11 As her eggs get close to hatching, an octopus mother will self-destruct.

00:16 She stops eating. She may tear at her own skin,

00:19 bang her body against rocks, or even eat her own arms.

00:23 Now researchers know why. When an octopus mom lays eggs,

00:28 a set of glands near her eyes called the optic glands start amping up

00:32 their production of certain components of cholesterol.

00:35 These molecules seem to act as signals that kick off a fetal frenzy.

00:41 The findings could help explain why an intelligent creature like the octopus

00:47 lives for merely a year.

00:51 [Music]

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