Tropical Thunder

The Coconut Octopus is a medium-sized cephalopod belonging to the genus Amphioctopus. It is found in tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. It commonly preys upon shrimp, crabs, and clams, and displays unusual behaviour, including bipedal walking and gathering and using coconut shells and seashells for shelter. [Source: Wikipedia]

The Blue-ringed Octopus is the most most dangerous cephalopod in the world. It produces a highly toxic saliva that is powerful enough to kill a human. To catch prey, it releases saliva into the water and waits for the poison to take effect or it catches, bites, or injects prey directly. Its bright coloring is unusual for an octopus, and the numerous blue rings become more iridescent if it is disturbed. 

The oddly shaped head of a hammerhead shark is loaded with finely tuned organs called ampullae of Lorenzini, which can detect electric fields emitted by prey. Hammerheads use these sensors to scour the seafloor for skates and rays, bottom-dwellers that often hide in the sand. The extra-wide head allows for a larger number of electrosensors than other sharks have and may help these predators scan a large area more quickly.

Large schools of hammerhead sharks migrate hundreds of miles each spring and fall. The same electrosensory organs they use to hunt may also help them navigate by sensing Earth’s magnetic fields. 

Meet more animals with amazing abilities in Life at the Limits, now open at the American Museum of Natural History.