An octopus is treating its own freshly amputated arm in a strange and exploratory manner that is not commonly seen with respect to food items. Note the 'startle' response of the amputated arm. The octopus is rubbing its arms over the amputated arm, petting it, but avoids grasping its skin. Eventually, the octopus is grasping the amputated arm only at the amputation site, where the flesh is exposed. After bringing the arm to its mouth, the octopus holds the amputated arm only at the flesh of the amputated arm and only with its beak for a long time.
(Photo Credit: Current Biology, Nesher et al.)
An octopus is reaching for a freshly amputated arm of another conspecific octopus and pulls it. Since the amputated arm is still alive, it holds the glass firmly, and the octopus has to use two arms in order to pull it. The amputated arm is pulled by the octopus and brought into the mouth and is held in it as a typical food item.
(Photo Credit: Current Biology, Nesher et al.)
Source: Cell Press