Thank you so much for reading Tedrick Gritswell of Borobo Reef. I truly hope you had as much fun reading as I had writing.
One of the questions I've been receiving while writing is, “Why an octopus?” The answer is simple: Octopuses are fantastic creatures and are the obvious choice for a human analogue under the sea.
They are intelligent. They can learn, solve problems and adapt to their surroundings. They even have distinct personalities! They are dexterous, they can squish through any old hole so long as it is bigger than their eye.
Speaking of eyes, their sight is a hot topic of scientific study. While the retina is monochromatic, the strange shape of the pupil may separate incoming light to colours. And speaking of colours, the camouflage of octopuses and cuttlefish is incredible to behold.
Then there's the suckers, of course, and the ability to not only feel but smell through them. The third arm of male octopuses is a special mating arm called the hectocotylus. Some species even detach this arm and hand it to the female for her to store and fertilise her eggs at a later stage!
When it comes to the inner anatomy, it gets even more interesting. Octopuses have three hearts, and blue, copper-based blood. Their brain, or brains, are distributed, one for each limb and a centralised one, totalling nine.
Lastly, they have three different ways to get through shells and eat their food – A beak, a rough, rasp tongue and a drill-like toxin injector for those stubborn cockles.
That's why an octopus!
If you enjoyed this book, or have any comments to make, please leave me feedback. Thank you once again.
Jeremy Tyrrell