Many things under a rock The mysteries of octopuses

Marine biologist Scheel debuts with a fascinating exploration of how octopuses experience their world. Drawing on research he's conducted in locales from Hawaii to Alaska, Scheel dives into the science of how the cephalopods think about and sense the world around them. Discussing evidence that octopuses have a sense of self, he observes that octopuses will eat the severed arms of others, but not their own. Scheel notes that two-thirds of an octopus's neurons reside in its arms rather than its brain and that scientists are still sorting out how much autonomy the arms have; one study found that "octopus arm tips retreat from light, whether or not the eyes can see it," suggesting that the creatures' brains and arms "are not perfectly integrated." He also relates anecdotes from his career studying octopuses in the wild and in labs, telling of a troublesome octopus who squirted water at researchers from its tank and describing how octopuses' ability to change colors complicated his efforts to identify species while surveying the Alaskan octopus population. The detailed descriptions of octopus behavior and stimulating research on their perceptive faculties makes for a complex portrait of a surprising animal. Fans of the BBC's Blue Planet should seek this out. (June)

A marine biologist dives into the wondrous world of octopuses. A professor of marine biology at Alaska Pacific University, David Scheel has been studying octopuses for more than 25 years, specializing in animal behavior. "Behavior, in particular," he writes, "reveals values--what is good and what is bad to an octopus--and hints at an animal's experiences and intentions." In his first book, the author shares the fruits of his research, as well as that of other marine biologists, to show us much of what has been learned--and remains to be understood--about these fascinating sea creatures. As the author notes, more than 300 different species of octopuses exist, yet their elusive behavior and the changing nature of their appearance make them difficult to locate, identify, and study. Among the questions the author addresses in this page-turning natural history: How has climate change affected octopuses? How can they be protected from overharvesting? What self-defense tools do they deploy? How do they use their senses to interact with their environment? Do octopuses dream? Do they experience emotions? Perhaps most surprising of all, the author has discovered that "despite their solitary reputation, octopuses like closeness." Though the author's research has taken him around the world, his primary focus has been Alaska. In addition to an endless supply of interesting factoids about octopuses and their habitats, the author also shares knowledge and stories from Indigenous cultures regarding the lives of octopuses, many of which inspired him to pursue his work further. "Indigenous science seeks not only to understand," he writes, "but also to respect people and the natural world." The author's passion for octopuses, combined with his accessible language and vivid descriptions of his encounters, creates a memorable book that is sure to appeal to fans of underwater adventures and anyone who enjoyed the film My Octopus Teacher. Laurel Scheel's simple yet elegant illustrations complement the text. A heartfelt and enlightening look at one of Earth's most curious creatures. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.