Birth is as amazing. A miracle, really.
And here, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center shares the most beautiful video of a baby octopus being born.
If you’ve never seen an octobaby – and let’s be honest, who has? — you’ll been mesmerized by this magical moment.
Just watch this blossoming.
ICYMI: Your daily squee has arrived. #octobabies pic.twitter.com/D9e5T5bkun
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) February 7, 2018
Okay, cool. But an octobaby changes hue?
It seemed like the stress of hatching caused the chromatophores to fire almost immediately before settling down. (All the hatches we witnessed had the same progression.)
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) February 7, 2018
Wait, what?
Do they calm down and return to a lighter color after that initial hatch stress? Or does hatching essentially trigger the activation of their chromatophores? They seem pretty colorless in the eggs.
— Noah Bressman (@NoahwithFish) February 7, 2018
Why?
So camouflage with their chromatophores must be innate then if they are trying to use it immediately?
— Noah Bressman (@NoahwithFish) February 7, 2018
This octomom laid a gazillion eggs. (Well, not quite, but a lot.)
“While we are cautiously optimistic, it is common for octopuses to lay over one hundred eggs in its clutch to ensure at least one makes it to adulthood,” the aquarium wrote. “Thankfully, these little critters are going to receive the best possible chance from our incredible animal care team.”
But it’s not all squee.
We’d say good luck with that huge brood, momma octopus, but you’re days are sadly numbered.
“She’s still alive and has actually been eating fairly consistently. She has been a very good momma octo and is still tending to the remaining eggs,” the facility explained. “Once she enters senescence, it is part of her life cycle to protect the eggs until she does pass.”
Ah, the circle of life.
Photo Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center/Twitter