Israeli captures rare footage of two octopuses mating in Eilat

Male octopuses mate with their female counterparts from a distance, as mating can be quite dangerous to the males. The female octopuses are known to sometimes eat the male octopus during sexual intercourse. 

In the photo captured below, the male octopus can be seen placing one of its arms, which is equipped with sperm groove and a specialized tip, instead of suction cups, on the female in order to impregnate her.

The female attaches string of fertilized eggs to rocks in the waters about 40 days following the insemination, where she guards them for around five months until they hatch.

An octopus' lifespan is relatively short, ranging from three to five years. The male octopus will die not long after mating with his female counterpart, usually after only several months or even weeks.

The eight-armed creatures are only one of many animal species living in the oceans off of Israel's coasts who were damaged by the oil spill that led to tar contamination several months ago.

In July, the Environmental Protection Ministry announced The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds will compensate Israel in the sum of NIS 50 million.

Octopus intelligence is not yet entirely understood. Considered one of the smartest invertebrates in the world, the mollusks were shown to have the ability to solve mazes, complete complex tasks in order to be rewarded with food, and even release themselves from containers.

Last year, a Hebrew University study found that octopuses might have more than just one brain.