Quick Facts
- Type
- Other
- Size
- 30–90 cm (arm span)
- Weight
- 3–10 kg
- Habitat
- Rocky reefs and seabeds in tropical and temperate seas
- Diet
- Crabs, shrimp, clams, and small fish
- Active Time
- Mainly nocturnal
- Lifespan
- 1–2 years
Field Notes
- An octopus has three hearts and blue, copper-based blood.
- It can change both the color and texture of its skin in under a second.
- Two-thirds of its neurons are in its arms, which can act semi-independently.
About the Common Octopus
The common octopus is a highly intelligent marine mollusk found in tropical and temperate seas around the world. It has a soft, boneless body, eight sucker-lined arms, and a hidden beak, and it can squeeze through any gap larger than its beak. Master of disguise, it changes the color and texture of its skin in an instant to blend with rocks, sand, or coral, or to startle threats. It can also release ink to escape and is known for solving puzzles, using tools, and remembering solutions.
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