Why Do Octopuses 'Self-Destruct' 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.

Transcript

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

00:12As her eggs get close to hatching, an octopus mother will self-destruct.

00:16She stops eating.

00:17She may tear at her own skin, bang her body against rocks, or even eat her own arms.

00:24Now researchers know why.

00:26When an octopus mom lays eggs, a set of glands near her eyes called the optic glands start

00:31amping up their production of certain components of cholesterol.

00:36These molecules seem to act as signals that kick off a fetal frenzy.

00:43The findings could help explain why an intelligent creature like the octopus lives for merely

00:48a year.

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