The Muscles of the North Pacific Giant Octopus Attach its Suction Pads

Function

By contracting its radial muscles and forming a vacuum inside its suction pads, the North Pacific giant octopus attaches tightly to rocks and to capture its prey. Besides the radial muscles spread across the inside of its suction pads, the North Pacific giant octopus has circular muscles that spread over the circumference of each suction pad, intersecting vertically with longitudinal muscles.

Functional Classification

Defense/Stability:
AbsorptionAdhesion

Environmental Solution Classification

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Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Octopus tentacle function can be used to create containers and water tanks that remain airtight in damp conditions. The structure of the North Pacific giant octopus’ suction pads also can be used to develop carpet and flooring that can be laid even in very wet areas.

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The Jet Spray of the Octopus
In order to breathe, the octopus forcefully pushes water from a cavity called a pallial chamber, which brings in water. The octopus uses three types of muscles to push out water: radial, circular, and longitudinal muscles. The longitudinal muscle prevents the circular muscle from contracting lengthwise and stretching flat, while simultaneously keeping the radial muscle stretched out. As a result, the membrane covering the pallial chamber becomes thin, allowing it to forcefully push water out.

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