The animal known to have three hearts is the octopus. Octopuses are fascinating creatures with complex anatomy, and their circulatory system includes three separate hearts. Here's a brief overview of how octopuses utilize their three hearts:
1. Two Branchial Hearts: Octopuses have two smaller hearts, known as branchial hearts, located near their gills. These hearts pump oxygen-depleted blood from the body to the gills, where it picks up oxygen from the surrounding water. The branchial hearts then send oxygenated blood to the systemic heart.
2. One Systemic Heart: The systemic heart is the larger and more prominent heart in an octopus. It receives oxygenated blood from the branchial hearts and pumps it throughout the octopus's body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to its organs and tissues.
The unique circulatory system of octopuses allows for efficient oxygenation of the blood and distribution of oxygen to different parts of their body. This adaptation is particularly important for octopuses, as they have a high metabolic rate and require a constant supply of oxygen.
It's worth noting that not all octopus species have the same number of hearts. While most octopuses possess three hearts, some species may have variations or modifications in their circulatory system. Nonetheless, the presence of multiple hearts is a notable characteristic of octopuses.