The dictionary defines “kiss” as “to touch or caress with the lips as an expression of affection, greeting, respect, or amorousness.” Yes, I know. That definition is…stale, isn’t it? The world would be such a dreadful place if that definition summed up our feelings on kissing. Luckily, that is not the case. If, however, you are unimpressed by lip locking, this story may change your opinion.  Scientists are in the process of unveiling an octopus that…kisses.

In the article, “Rare kissing octopus unveiled for the first time,” Tia Ghose of LiveScience writes, “Unlike other octopuses, where females have a nasty habit of eating their partners during sex, Larger Pacific Striped Octopuses mate by pressing their beaks and suckers against each other in an intimate embrace.” This is rare.  Octopuses tend to be more brutal during the intimate times.  Females eat their partners!  This display of cephalopod affection has scientists intrigued. Richard Ross, a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, says, “Its beauty, unique mating technique and social habits are intriguing the cephalopod community.” Such a discovery will surely change how we view octopuses and kissing as well.

The octopus itself is recent, discovered in 1991. The female sea dweller went on display on March 6 at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. A male will soon join it. If lucky, onlookers may witness an octopus make out session.

While unique in the cephalopod community, kissing is quite common among men and women. Is it so common that it has lost meaning for some? Possibly – in some people’s eyes, all lips are the same and intimacy overrated. How wrong they are! Each pair of lips is unique. Each has a personality. Since each pair of lips is unique, intimacy therefore is unique. Just look at some lip prints! The Larger Pacific Striped Octopuses seem to get it. Do you?

For more information on Ghose's article, look here.

Posted by Michael Kett