Romantic Octopus 'Kisses' Mate During Sex

Researchers have discovered a romantic tropical octopus which creeps up behind prey, gently taps it on the shoulder, and scares it into its arms.

The behaviour of the Pacific striped octopus is markedly different to most other species, experts say – especially when it comes to mating.

While most male octopuses typically share sperm with females from a distance, in case their partner gets aggressive or hungry, this particular species appears to be considerably more romantic.

According to UC Berkeley biologists, Pacific striped octopuses share food, cohabit for several days while mating, and even appear to kiss while they grasp each other beak-to-beak – in what academics describe as "rough sex".

And although most species aren't sociable, these creatures have been spotted in groups of 40 off the coasts of Panama and Nicaragua.

Many of these characteristics were uncovered by a prominent biologist in the 1970s, but because his findings massively contradicted other studies about octopus behaviour, very little attention was paid to his study.

Professor Roy Caldwell said: "I've never seen anything like it. There are lots of species of octopus, and most have never even been seen alive in the wild and certainly haven't been studied."

His team's findings were published in the Plos One journal.