Why do octopuses shoot ink out? And how many brains do they have? I’ll give you a hint…it’s more than one! These creatures might be called “aliens” by some because of their strange looks and behaviors, but they are not from another world. They are God’s wonderful creations!

Here’s our trail map:

• What Exactly Is an Octopus?
• How Is an Octopus Born?
• How Many Brains Does an Octopus Have?
• How Does an Octopus Shoot Out Ink?
• Why Does the Bible Say We Are Like Aliens?

Episode Links:

Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos

Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Free Octopus Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-many-brains-does-an-octopus-have/

How to make a homemade photo field notes set: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFYwsb4y_8X/

Save $10 on an order at Parabo Press: https://www.parabo.press/?coupon=NAT10&utm_source=NatTheoPodcast

Try CTCMath’s simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/

Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Listen to the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast: https://podcast.schoolhouserocked.com/

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Sources used for research:

Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Philippe Diole

Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery

Cephalopod Camouflage: Cells and Organs of the Skin by Ryan Gilmore, B.S., Robyn Crook, PhD, and Jacob L Krans, Phd.

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“So God created the large sea animals and every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things, with each one producing more of its own kind.” Genesis 1:21 (NCV)

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!

    In wisdom you have made them all.

    The earth is full of your creatures.

Here is the ocean, vast and wide,

    teeming with life of every kind,

    both large and small.” Psalm 104:24-25 (NLT)

“Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 (NCV)

“People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.” 1 Peter 2:12 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Mollusk: A phylum (category) of animals that are soft bodied and have an important organ called a mantle and a special foot used to get around, grasp things, or dig. Most but not all mollusks have shells.

Cephalopod: A class (smaller category than phylum) of mollusks including octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus.

Central Brain: The main brain or “control center” of an octopus’s nervous system. It is donut shaped and wraps around their esophagus.

Ganglia: Clusters of neurons in an octopus’s arms. Each octopus has eight of these “mini brains” that can act on their own as well as send and receive messages to and from the central brain.

Ink Sac: The organ that holds an octopus’s ink.

Pseudomorph: A fake shape of itself some octopuses create with their ink to distract predators so they can make their escape.

Melanin: A pigment (color) in the octopus’s ink. Melanin also colors our skin, hair, and eyes.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. All testimonies are the honest reviews of the host after personally using each product and service.

Mentioned in this episode:

Order Eryn's New Book, The Nature of Rest

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891