b3ta is a bit dead tonight.. woo pic :)Argonaut or paper nautilus is a weird species of octopus. First, they have a highly divergent sexual dimorphism. That’s science-speak for the difference in body sizes between males and females. A female argonaut grows up to 10 cm (~ 4 in.) with shells as large as 45 cm (~ 18 in.) The male, however, is only 2 cm (3/4 in) long!
But that’s not why argonaut is on this list. The male argonaut produces a ball of spermatozoa in a special tentacle called a hectocotylus. When meeting a female it fancies, the male then detaches its penis to swim by itself to the female!
This detachable swimming penis was actually first noted by an Italian naturalist back in the 1800s, who mistook it for a parasitic worm!
(But that’s not why argonaut is on this list. The male argonaut produces a ball of spermatozoa in a special tentacle called a hectocotylus. When meeting a female it fancies, the male then detaches its penis to swim by itself to the female!
This detachable swimming penis was actually first noted by an Italian naturalist back in the 1800s, who mistook it for a parasitic worm!
arrangedletters,
Wed 25 Feb 2009, 3:06,
archived)
I think we're all reading about fauna
gronkpan @vomitinglarry.bsky.social,
Wed 25 Feb 2009, 3:10,
archived)
THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME
Rapitinui get in the cage and I'll give you a treat,
Wed 25 Feb 2009, 3:29,
archived)