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.

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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