Octopus makes its own quicksand, then vanishes inside

Octopus makes its own quicksand

Species: The southern sand octopus (Octopus kaurna)
Habitat: The sea floor of the southeastern coast of Australia

This sand octopus burrowing technique was first video captured in 2008 by Jasper Montana of the University of Melbourne. “This is the first known cephalopod to burrow,” he says.

The technique, the octopus injects water into the sediment using its siphon and mantle, liquefying the sand grains to form quicksand.

The octopus moves its arms into the quicksand, while maintaining its jetting of water.  It then pulls the remainder of its body under the surface.

The octopus then extends two arms to the surface, creating a ventilation shaft, a layer of mucus keeps the walls of its new burrow in shape.

Finally, it retracts its arms and exhales strongly to push out any loose sand, before settling into its new home.

This video was uploaded to YouTube by New Scientist

Click here to watch the video on YouTube