BBC Earth is back with another excellent special, this time focusing on the intriguing creature of the octopus.

Octopuses are intelligent, containing nine brains, three hearts, and half a billion neurons in their arms which allow the tentacles to function independently from the brain.

The Octopus: Aliens living on Earth?

Alien-like, it is also believed that octopuses have a consciousness. So otherworldly, Hawaiian mythology believes that the octopus is the only surviving member of a previous version of Earth.

The octopus can also adapt to different colors and textures with fluidity, completely camouflaging with their surroundings. Be sure to check out the rainbow octopus!

From the BBC’s show notes:

A professor develops an extraordinary relationship with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home. The octopus, called Heidi, unravels puzzles, recognises individual humans and even watches TV with the family.

The episode also shows remarkable behaviour from around the world – from the day octopus, which can change colour and texture in a split second, to the coconut octopus, which carries around its own coconut shell to hide in. But most fascinating of all is seeing how Professor David Scheel and his daughter Laurel bond with an animal that has nine brains, three hearts and blue blood running through its veins.