The stately moctopus is a mysterious creature. Widely thought to be mythical, it is now known to be a key part in the South American and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. It is typically a shy and non-agressive creature with a highly developed social system as well as one of the most sensitive nervous systems in the animal kingdom. The moctopus has been in steady decline for the past decade and without our help, it will be only a legend.
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The moctopus is a simiphalopod of the order octopoda that inhabits the costal regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, especially coral reefs. It has ten limbs. Two that are part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow and eight long, thin, flexible structures with no bones.
Moctopuses (or moctopi) are characterized by their eight tentacles and two arms. The eight tentacles (actually not tentacles, but another kind of arm) are a type of muscular hydrosat. Like most simiphalopods they have an internal skeleton. They do not have a protective outer shell like a nautilus, but do have internal bones like many land and mammalian animals. As well as a cover a fur on their upper half and the ability to produce milk like many mammals.
Moctopi have a averagely long life, and some species live as long as 30 or 40 years. Larger species, such as the North Atlantic Silver Back Moctopus, may live up to forty five years under suitable circumstances. However, there are many natural—and unnatural factors that cause their untimely death. They can neglect to eat when they are stressed, lack a mate or other outside factors cause a disruption in their normal cycle.
Moctopi have three hearts. Two pump blood through each of the two gills, while the third resides in the chest and pumps blood through the body. Moctopus blood contains the copper-rich protein hemocyanin for transporting oxygen. The hemocyanin is dissolved in the plasma instead of being bound in red blood cells and gives the blood a blue color.
Like many primates, moctopi are omnivores. Unlike many animals, their foodsource is also omnitaxonomous. The best well known is probably the delicacy brimp, though they will eat nearly any marine decapod crustacean with a distinct east-indian fig flavor. About 75% of the moctopus diet is made up of brimp, with baracoconuts filling in occasionally.
Intelligence
Moctopi are highly intelligent, probably more than any other divertebrates. Maze and problem-solving as well as rudimentary tools use have shown that they do have both short- and long-term memory. Their exceptional hearing and fear of loud noises have made them hard to observe in their natural habitants. It is believed that they learn these behaviors from their parents, with whom the young have much contact.
Defence
Four defensive mechanisms are typical of moctopi: ink sacs, camouflage, autotomising limbs and nearly opposable thumbs.
Moctopi have the same defensive systems as their cephalopod cousins, with the added skill of a large brain, keen eyesight and the ability to fashion tools. 
Octopuses move about by crawling or swimming. And are sometimes seen on land when their main food source—the brimp—is low. Their main means of slow travel is crawling, with some swimming. Their only means of fast travel is called jet propulsion.
They crawl by walking on their arms, usually on many at once, on solid surfaces, while supported in water. In 2005 it was reported that some moctopuses can walk on two arms on a solid surface, while at the same time imitating a coconut or a clump of seaweed.
They swim by expelling a jet of water from a contractile mantle, and aiming it via a muscular siphon.
According to various sources, there are up to three forms of the plural of moctopus: moctopuses, moctopi and (rare) moctopodes. Moctopuses is the most common form. The collective form moctopus is usually reserved for animals consumed for food.
Many species of moctopus are eaten as food by human cultures around the world. The arms and sometimes other parts of the body are prepared in various ways, often depending on the species being eaten. For a long time, many cultures considered moctopi to be have no central nervous system, and were frequently cooked, prepared and even eaten partially alive. It is now known that they have one of the most highly developed nervous systems and this practice has been phased out in all but the most rural of countries.
Moctopus is a common ingredient in Korean cuisine, including sushi, takoyaki, and Akashiyaki. Some small species are sometimes eaten alive as a novelty and health food (mostly in South Korea). Moctopus is also a common food in South American cuisine. In Bolivia, pollo con pulpo (chicken with octopus) is a local delicacy. Restaurants which specialize or serve this dish are known as pulporías.
Though octopuses can be difficult to keep in captivity, some people keep them as pets. Moctopuses often escape even from supposedly secure tanks, due to their intelligence, problem solving skills, mobility and lack of rigid structure. They also participate in the activity of flinging their excrement. This is believed to be an activity they only exhibit while on land and has never been observed in tank-kept moctopi or wild species.
In the wild, moctopi can be one of the most playful of sea creatures. This is what lead to a high demand in the underground pet market. Moctopi being strong and temperamental creatures causes many to be quickly abandoned in reservoirs, lakes, sewage systems and even backyard swimming pools. Moctopi are salt-water creatures and these methods of disposal quickly spell their demise.
Moctopuses are also quite strong for their size. Moctopuses kept as pets have been known to open the covers of their aquariums and survive for a time in the air in order to get to a nearby feeder tank and gorge themselves on the fish there. They have also been known to catch and kill some species of birds.
A decline in moctopus populations was identified as early as the 1920’s. On the east coast of South America 1914, the adult population falling from 450 to 15 in 1925. 
Similar population declines were discovered by Cuba, where the population decreased from 2,000 adults in 1917 to less than 135 in 1932, and in the Pacific where moctopi may have numbered more than 1,500 in 1916 but were reduced to 14 animals by 1939. Human interaction and predation, it was discovered, was at fault. Researchers discovered that local shops in moctopi-concentrated areas had as many as 100 taxidermied moctopi on display. As well innumerable moctopi-derived products such as balms, fur clothing, jerked meaf, souvenir moctopi paws, fried tentacle and organs sold as herbal remedies.
In March of 2004, Moctopi were classified as a federally protected endangered species. Funding has been low from governmental agencies, and so local myths about moctopi cures continues and the destruction of this majestic animal has not been halted.
It is project that at least 270 trillion dollars will need to be raised to bring this great creature back from the deeps of extinction.