Octurrots

Octurrots are a hypothetical species of cephalopod that possess eight tentacles, similar to an octopus, but are distinguished by their herbivorous diet and their unique method of locomotion. Unlike typical octopuses that rely on jet propulsion or crawling, octurrots are thought to propel themselves through their aquatic environment by a series of synchronized, undulating movements of their tentacles, creating a rippling effect that pushes them forward. Their feeding apparatus is adapted for grazing on aquatic vegetation, featuring specialized mouthparts for tearing and processing plant matter.

The evolutionary pressures that might lead to such a creature are speculative. One hypothesis suggests that in an environment with abundant, easily accessible plant life and a scarcity of small prey, octurrots could have evolved to exploit this niche. Their eight tentacles might offer a greater surface area for gathering vegetation compared to a more limited number of limbs. Furthermore, their distinct propulsion method could be an adaptation for navigating dense underwater plant beds where jet propulsion might be less efficient or more energetically costly.

The sensory organs of octurrots are presumed to be similar to those of other cephalopods, including large, complex eyes capable of detecting a wide spectrum of light and potentially polarized light. Their skin is likely to possess chromatophores, allowing for camouflage and communication, though the patterns and purposes of these color changes might differ from carnivorous cephalopods, possibly relating to signaling within social groups or warning predators of their unpalatability if they consume toxic algae. Research into octurrots remains purely theoretical.