The octopus is considered the brightest invertebrate animal, with the greatest brain-to-body-mass ratio of any invertebrates — even greater than certain vertebrates. These cephalopods are clever enough to engage in deception, such as impersonating “moving pebbles” to elude predators. There are about 300 different species of octopus, most of which may be found in tropical and temperate oceans across the world. Octopuses have been around for millennia; Pohlsepia, the first known octopus fossil, is thought to have lived more than 296 million years ago.
Octopus Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Order: Octopoda
- Family: Octopodidae
- Scientific Name: Octopus Vulgaris
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Locations: Ocean
- Main Prey: Crabs, Fish, Scallops
- Habitat: Tropical and temperate waters worldwide
- Predators: Eels, Sharks, Dolphins
- Diet: Omnivore
- Average Litter Size: 80
- Lifestyle: Solitary
- Favorite Food: Crabs
- Type: Mollusca
- Slogan: There are around 300 different species!
Octopus Physical Characteristics
- Colour: Brown, Red, Blue, Tan, Orange, Purple
- Skin Type: Smooth
- Top Speed: 27 mph
- Lifespan: 2-15 years
- Weight: 5-75kg (11-165lbs)
5 Amazing Octopus Facts
- Some octopus species do what is known as the “shifting rock” trick. An octopus may move slowly over wide space in order to imitate the look of a rock. They do so at the same pace as the water around them, giving the impression that they aren’t moving at all. This helps them to move around while remaining hidden from predators.
- Experiments using mazes and problem-solving tasks have shown that octopuses have both short- and long-term memory. Even after traversing long distances, they are able to find their way back to their dens with ease.
- The dumbo octopus is the deepest existing genus of octopus. It dwells 13,100 feet below the water’s surface, despite its little size.
- Octopuses are animals that can alter the color of their skin considerably and fast because of their highly developed pigment-bearing cells. This type of camouflage is a frequent defense strategy employed by octopuses to avoid predators.
- The plural version of the word octopus is octopuses, not octopi, contrary to common perception. However, the term octopus is commonly used to refer to a group of octopuses.
Octopus Scientific Name
The mollusk order includes octopuses. They are classified as cephalopods and belong to the Octopoda order. In 1818, English scientist William Elford Leach created the name Octopoda.
Octopus vulgaris is the scientific name for the common octopus. This Latin phrase is derived from two Ancient Greek words: okto (meaning “eight”) and pous (meaning “foot”). As a result, the name “octopus” means “eight feet,” referring to the creatures’ eight “feet,” which are more usually referred to as arms.
Octopus Species: The Types of Octopus
The order Octopoda comprises around 300 species and is divided into 13 families. Octopuses come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, with some dwelling in the deep water, others reaching 30 feet, and yet others barely reaching an inch!
The following are some of the most intriguing octopus species.
Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
The gigantic Pacific octopus is the largest octopus on the planet! The world’s largest specimen reportedly weighed 600 pounds and had a 30-foot arm reach! The species may be found all around the Pacific’s “ring of fire,” from the Gulf of California to Alaska, and all the way down to Japan and China’s coast.
Flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis californiana)
Flapjack octopuses are umbrella octopuses, which means their tentacles are connected by a web of skin. The flapjack octopus derives its name from the way its webbing links outward to the ends of its tentacles, giving it a ‘flapjack’ look at the bottom of its body. Flapjack octopuses may leave up to a mile below the surface of the ocean, and nothing is known about their habits. Flapjack octopuses gained popularity because the character Pearl in Finding Nemo was based on the species.