Siphon directs underwater movement: octopus

1 of 1 Octopus / Nick Hobgood / License

Siphons of octopi, squid, and cuttlefish jet through the water with directional control via jet propulsion.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Move or stay put >
	Move >
	In/on liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

High flow liquid transport, macro and micro applications.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish have a more sophisticated version of jet propulsion. They expel water through a moveable tube called a siphon, which combines power with directional control." (Downer 2002:17)

About the inspiring organism

Octopoda
Octopoda

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: High flow liquid transport, macro and micro applications.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, transport

References

Downer, J. 2002. Weird Nature: An Astonishing Exploration of Nature's Strangest Behavior. Ontario: Firefly Books.

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Comments

Thanks to Duarte Miguel Prazeres for finding and uploading this photo.

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