The Octopus
Octopuses are fascinating, intelligent sea creatures with bulbous heads and soft, boneless bodies. They have four pairs of arms lined with suction cups, and there are some 300 species of them found in oceans all around the world. They are experts at changing color and texture to blend into their surroundings, and when threatened, they can squirt out a cloud of ink to escape from predators!
| Octopus | |
|---|---|
| Size | Varies by species, from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 14 feet (4.3 m) in arm span |
| Weight | Varies by species, from less than 1 ounce (28 grams) to 600 pounds (272 kilograms) for the largest species, the Giant Pacific Octopus |
| Speed | 25mph (40km/h) |
| Key Strength | High intelligence, ability to change skin color and texture for camouflage, and use of ink for defense |
| Biggest Weakness | Soft body with no skeletal structure, making them vulnerable to larger predators |
| Scientific Name | Octopoda |
| Family | Octopodidae |
| Habitat | Marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea trenches |
| Geography | Worldwide, in all oceans |
| Diet | Carnivorous, feeding mainly on crabs, shrimp, and other small sea creatures |
| Lifespan | 1 year - 5 years |
The Octopus
Octopuses are fascinating, intelligent sea creatures with bulbous heads and soft, boneless bodies. They have four pairs of arms lined with suction cups, and there are some 300 species of them found in oceans all around the world. They are experts at changing color and texture to blend into their surroundings, and when threatened, they can squirt out a cloud of ink to escape from predators!
Fun Fact: Did you know that octopuses have three hearts? Two pump blood to the gills, and one pumps it to the rest of the body.
| Octopus | |
|---|---|
| Size | Varies by species, from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 14 feet (4.3 m) in arm span |
| Weight | Varies by species, from less than 1 ounce (28 grams) to 600 pounds (272 kilograms) for the largest species, the Giant Pacific Octopus |
| Speed | 25mph (40km/h) |
| Key Strength | High intelligence, ability to change skin color and texture for camouflage, and use of ink for defense |
| Biggest Weakness | Soft body with no skeletal structure, making them vulnerable to larger predators |
| Scientific Name | Octopoda |
| Family | Octopodidae |
| Habitat | Marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea trenches |
| Geography | Worldwide, in all oceans |
| Diet | Carnivorous, feeding mainly on crabs, shrimp, and other small sea creatures |
| Lifespan | 1 year - 5 years |
Fun Fact: Fun fact: the plural of octopus isn't 'octopi' as many believe - it's 'octopuses' because the word comes from the Greek, not Latin!
Fun Fact: Octopuses are amazingly smart critters, they can use tools and even escape from closed jars. Some have been known to cause mischief in aquariums by opening valves and causing floods!