What happens to these specimens?
The world of nature and animals always fascinates us a lot for mechanisms that often go beyond our understanding. As happens for example for i female octopuses: the “mothers” of this species, in fact, first lay eggs and then they disappear forever. It seems to trigger what was called the hormone of self-destruction.
The oviposition for this species it is a real death sentence. She will not see her babies being born, she will not go looking for food for them and she will never know them, because in reality the mother destroys herself after a very short time.
Death comes to these animals as soon as they are eggs begin to hatch. First he deposits them, then he takes care of them but slowly his decline begins: the animal carries out a whole series of behaviors that will inevitably lead to its death.
While brooding and supervise the eggs which contain inside its “puppies” tries to protect them from the water, without ever leaving them. Not even to go get food, just a few snacks. But after four days he won’t eat anymore.
A week later it will continue to fail look for food or eat and to show self-destructive behaviors: tearing the skin, eating the tips of the tentacles, cleaning in a maniacal way damaging and beating the body.
Female octopuses die before the eggs hatch
When the children are born they will already be orphans, without a guide ready to direct them, to tell them how to move in the sea, how to have food, how to survive without depending on anyone. Octopuses are extremely intelligent and yes fit easily. Since birth.
They multiply only once and then die. Perhaps it is a defense mechanism because cannibalism is normal in these animals and prevents mothers from eating their young at birth. But scientists are not entirely sure.