Octopuses are the animals which can alter their brain neurons according to the necessity. Deep sea octopus like Graneledone boreopacifica are the one which show typical behavior of protectiveness towards their eggs by not showing any interest on food for 4.5 years. It is found in both Atlantic and Pacific oceans and female octopus after laying eggs protect them by stopping their all other activities than taking care of them. This is done by shutting down their brain for other functional activities except optical glands. This is an adaptation for the female octopus to not to abandon its eggs .The mother remains stationary for months to years depending upon species.

Their brains are shut down for other activities in such a way that they won’t eat food even when offered, their skin becomes ghostly white from the lack of food. This was observed by marine biologists when they conducted a deep sea visit using a specialized remote vehicle at 4,583 feet deep and found female Graneledone boreopacifica protecting its eggs. Earlier when the vehicle was sent a month ago it was not there and from then till 18 times upto 4.5 years when the vehicle was sent it was there found covering its eggs. Even the mother refused food when pieces of crabs were offered by the vehicle. The continuous growth of eggs confirmed that it was the same clutch. While the vehicle’s last visit was done the eggs were empty and the mother was gone.

Scientists believed that this behavior was to protect the eggs from predators and a constant stream of oxygen is supplied to the eggs by squirting of water on egg brood by mother. Most of the octopuses are known to lay eggs once in their lifetime and the mothers usually die soon after the eggs hatch. The mother’s behavior and the multiple genetic evidence suggests that the post reproductive death is an active process making sure that the mother will not consume her young ones.