Prey species use antipredator traits to avoid confrontation with predator species and also to escape once predators have located them. This in turn, helps the prey to survive and reproduce. The traits consist of the phenotypes that the specific prey species displays, and can range from the development of defensive structures as the organism matures, and can also include any behavior the species displays, for example learning to recognize the predator and how to avoid being eaten (Hanlon & Messenger, 1996).
The Octopus vulgaris is commonly found in tropical and also sub-tropical regions all over the world, both in coastal environments and in the deeper parts of the ocean. This demonstrates how the octopus has adapted to survive in a variety …show more content…
Instead of camouflage, young octopi use their small size and flexible body to hide in cracks and crevices among the corals, away from predators until they are large enough to develop sufficient chromatophores needed to camouflage their body. The juvenile octopuses also stay in shallow waters, usually between 0-2 meters in order to keep out of reach of larger predators such as sharks and dolphins (Mather, 1991). They also move dens every couple of days, in order to remain undetected by predators while moving into an area with a larger abundance of …show more content…
The muscle cells of the octopus mantle are surrounded by connective tissue, which contract, pulling in the mantle, causing water to be forced out, propelling the octopus forwards (Wells et al. 1991). One factor affecting the use of these antipredator traits is the state the octopus is in. For example, once the female O. vulgaris lays eggs in her den, she will remain with the offspring protecting them till she dies. This means that both inking and jet propelling cannot be used as a defense, with the female relying on camouflage as a last resort (Halon & Messenger 1996). The O. vulgaris life span often lasts between 12 and 15 months (Katsanevakis & Verriopoulos), making factors such as the state of the Octopus, heavily affect its antipredator traits, and what traits are available to it depending on the octopuses’
The Octopus vulgaris is commonly found in tropical and also sub-tropical regions all over the world, both in coastal environments and in the deeper parts of the ocean. This demonstrates how the octopus has adapted to survive in a variety …show more content…
Instead of camouflage, young octopi use their small size and flexible body to hide in cracks and crevices among the corals, away from predators until they are large enough to develop sufficient chromatophores needed to camouflage their body. The juvenile octopuses also stay in shallow waters, usually between 0-2 meters in order to keep out of reach of larger predators such as sharks and dolphins (Mather, 1991). They also move dens every couple of days, in order to remain undetected by predators while moving into an area with a larger abundance of …show more content…
The muscle cells of the octopus mantle are surrounded by connective tissue, which contract, pulling in the mantle, causing water to be forced out, propelling the octopus forwards (Wells et al. 1991). One factor affecting the use of these antipredator traits is the state the octopus is in. For example, once the female O. vulgaris lays eggs in her den, she will remain with the offspring protecting them till she dies. This means that both inking and jet propelling cannot be used as a defense, with the female relying on camouflage as a last resort (Halon & Messenger 1996). The O. vulgaris life span often lasts between 12 and 15 months (Katsanevakis & Verriopoulos), making factors such as the state of the Octopus, heavily affect its antipredator traits, and what traits are available to it depending on the octopuses’