Art and Culture

Ameloctopus Autotomy

by Robert Holland

Ameloctopus has a trick to flee harm;
His autotomy works like a charm.
What's craunching on him
Is left grasping a limb
And a tale of a throwaway arm.

When threatened by a predator, Ameloctopus litoralis sheds one of its arms. The arm thrashes about to distract (and feed) the predator while the octopus makes its getaway. Drop-tail lizards can get away with the same trick. (oh-TAH-toe-mee) autotomy.

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About This Page
This limerick courtesy OEDILF, The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form.

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Ameloctopus litoralis

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