8 fascinating facts about supersmart octopuses

Our photographer got an exclusive look at how researchers are learning more about these cephalopods—and how that relates to us.

An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world

In an excerpt from the new book Secrets of the Octopus, an animal lover offers insight into this “strange, beautiful, curious creature.”

Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?

A master of disguise, cunning escape artist, and selfless parent, the octopus is an extraordinary creature. How well do you know them?

Octopuses are like aliens on Earth: three hearts, blue blood and the ability to squeeze through a space the size of their eyeballs. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-at- Large James Cameron, the next installment of the award-winning SECRETS OF franchise returns with SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS. The three-part series explores their one-of-a-kind superpowers, extraordinary intelligence, and secret social lives. There is so much more to these weird and wonderful animals that are intelligent enough to use tools, transform their bodies to mimic other animals, and even communicate with different species. Narrated by award-winning actor Paul Rudd and featuring National Geographic Explorer, Wayfinder Awardee and science communicator Dr. Alex Schnell, SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS will bring us closer than ever to these elusive creatures.


Explore
Latest Issues

Watch This

Trees are more than just beautiful fixtures of any city neighborhood. They make hot summer days more bearable by providing shade and naturally cooling air temperatures in the immediate surroundings. However, researchers have found a distinct and historical connection between tree canopy disparity in wealthy, mostly white neighborhoods and low-income, often minority communities. It goes back to a discriminatory housing practice called redlining. Under a New Deal program, maps of over 200 American cities were created to determine which residential areas were creditworthy to receive federal loans. The grading system heavily disadvantaged people of color, immigrants, and low-income families, making it hard to obtain the funds for mortgages and to build and maintain parks or other tree-covered urban spaces. More than 50 years after the practice was banned by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the sweltering effects continue to be felt in formerly redlined areas that still have fewer trees to keep neighborhoods cool.
Subscribe to National Geographic

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet