Octopuses and the Food Chain
Octopuses are ancient creatures that have been on the earth for hundreds of millions of years. They have probably been part of the human diet since we started eating creatures from the sea. Both humans and octopuses eat meat and we are both part of a food chain. Octopuses feed off crustaceans such as crabs and lobster but will also eat polychaeta worms, shrimp, prawns and plankton. In turn, they are eaten by large marine fish, cephalopods, seabirds, sea otters, and, of course, humans. Octopus meat can be eaten raw or cooked and is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. It’s popular around Asia and the Mediterranean and the best catches are those that live in deeper waters and have a nutrient-rich diet. Octopus is a very versatile and highly nutritious part of the human diet for many populations.
Catching Octopuses the Ancient Way
Of course, before you can eat an octopus you have to catch it. The lads in this clip are doing this in the most spectacular way. They are diving to the ocean floor using only masks and catching the octopus using their bare hands or spears. Their skill and stamina are amazing! However, octopuses have some defense mechanisms to fight back and they are not hesitating to use them. Firstly, they cling onto the young fisherman with their suckers and then they squirt out some black ink. This is the defence mechanism to startle and confuse a potential predator. Hidden by the ink, the octopus has a better chance of getting away. The problem is that these experienced fishermen know that it is coming and simply ignore it! Nice try, octopus, but we’re afraid it did not work this time! Next up: Watch Fisherman Wrestle 400lb Jungle Fish in Heroic Catch See the Terrifying 16-foot “Bad Omen” Chilean Fisherman Pulled From Ocean Clever Sea Lion Jumps Out of Water and Steals a Fisherman’s Monster Catch
