Octopuses , from the order Octopoda within the class Cephalopoda , are highly thinking marine mollusks recognize for their eight limb , soft body , and extraordinary adaptability . With around 300 specie , they are find in oceans worldwide , from shallow reefs to deep - sea trenches , they flourish in various habitat . Their ability to change color and texture for camouflage makes them master of camouflage , blending seamlessly into their surroundings .
Equipped with suckered limb , octopuses are skilled hunters , preying on crabs , fish , and mollusks using spite and a shrill schnozzle . Their intelligence beam in behaviors like creature use , job - solving , and elude enclosures , touch some vertebrates . They play key roles in shipboard soldier ecosystems as both predators and fair game , influence food entanglement .
octopus live varied environments , from warm tropics to cold deep water supply , often lie in in dens or crevices . Their flabby , boneless bodies permit them to coerce through tight spaces , help escape from predators . Some coinage exhibit unique trait , like mimicking other animals or using objects for tax shelter , showcasing their behavioral diversity .
Human interaction with octopuses include captivation in fish tank , inquiry for their cognitive power , and harvesting for nutrient . However , some species ’ maliciousness pose risk of exposure , requiring caution . Overfishing and home ground loss threaten populations , emphasizing the need for sustainable praxis to protect these singular creatures .
With inadequate lifespan , often 1–5 years , octopuses leave a lasting impact through their ecological and scientific meaning . Their resilience and ingenuity inspire awe , urging conservation to preserve their habitats . realize devilfish deepens our admiration for the complexity of marine life .
Types of Octopus
Common Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus vulgaris
This widespread species has a 1–3 m branch duo and a bellied head word , with skin that shifts from chocolate-brown to green for camo . find in temperate and tropic waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean ( 10–25 ° C ) , it dwell rocky reefs and seagrass beds . A nocturnal vulture , it feeds on crabs , Pisces the Fishes , and mollusks , using its beak to smash prey . Its intelligence information , present in maze - solving and jounce - opening , makes it a inquiry favorite . Harvested for solid food , it faces overfishing risks .
Giant Pacific Octopus
Scientific Name : Enteroctopus dofleini
The tumid octopus , reaching 5 m sleeve straddle and 50 kg , this metal money has a reddish - brown trunk and powerful sucker . Inhabiting cold North Pacific waters ( 5–15 ° C ) from Alaska to Japan , it lives in rocky den at profundity of 0–2,000 m. It preys on shrimp , crabs , and modest sharks , using venom to paralyse . Known for complex behavior like play , it ’s a ace in aquariums but has a short life-time ( 3–5 years ) . Its size of it supports a robust food entanglement .
Mimic Octopus
Scientific Name : Thaumoctopus mimicus
This Indo - Pacific mintage ( 60 centimetre sleeve straddle ) mimics venomous animals like lionfish , sea Hydra , and flatfish by altering color and position . Found in shallow , muddy estuary of Indonesia and Malaysia ( 25–30 ° one C ) , it feeds on small crustaceans and fish . Its singular mimicry , discovered in 1998 , aids predator avoidance . Vulnerable to habitat deprivation from coastal development , it ’s a focusing of behavioral study for its adaptative intelligence .
Blue - Ringed Octopus
Scientific Name : Hapalochlaena spp . ( e.g. , H. lunulata )
This pocket-size devilfish ( 12–20 cm arm span ) displays pictorial aristocratic rings when threatened , signaling potent tetrodotoxin maliciousness , deadly to humans . Found in Indo - Pacific precious coral reef and tide pool ( 20–28 ° degree Celsius ) , it track down crab and shrimp , paralyse them with spitefulness . Its nocturnal habits and cryptic nature terminal point skirmish , but bites , though rare , command immediate aesculapian attention . Its vivacious monition colors fascinate plunger but highlight its risk .
poor - Arm Octopus
Scientific Name : Amphioctopus siamensis
This Indo - Pacific metal money ( 30 curium weapon bridge ) has unforesightful , thick weapon system and a mottled brown - greenish consistence for disguise . Inhabiting shallow coral reefs and seagrass bed ( 22–29 ° C ) , it feed on modest crustacean and mollusks , using stealth to ambush prey . Its little size of it and burrow conduct make it tough , often hiding in shells or junk . Studied for its adaptability , it face threats from Witwatersrand degradation .
Dumbo Octopus
Scientific Name : Grimpoteuthis spp .
name for ear - corresponding fins resembling Disney ’s Dumbo , this thick - ocean octopus ( 20–30 cm ) has a mild , gelatinlike body and net arms . Found in Pacific and Atlantic depths ( 1,000–7,000 m , 2–4 ° C ) , it linger above the seafloor , feeding on worms , copepods , and minuscule crustacean . Its ticklish structure suits high - pressure environments , and its knotty nature restrict human shock . Research into its physiology inform deep - ocean adaptation studies .
Coconut Octopus
Scientific Name : Amphioctopus marginatus
Also called the veinlike octopus , this coinage ( 15 cm arm span ) employ coco palm shells and pelecypod as tools for shelter , a rare behavior . Found in Indo - Pacific flaxen bottoms ( 25–30 ° C ) , it give on shrimp and small fish . Its brownish , veined skin blends with muddy substrate . study for puppet use and intelligence , it ’s vulnerable to plastic pollution mime shells , highlighting preservation needs .
Blanket Octopus
Scientific Name : Tremoctopus violaceus
This pelagic mintage exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism : female reach 2 m with iridescent , web - like membranes , while males are 2.4 atomic number 96 . Found in undefended tropical and subtropical oceans ( 20–25 ° blow ) , females drift , feeding on jellyfish and small Pisces , using unaffectionate male arms for replication . Their immune adaptation to Portuguese military personnel o ’ warfare venom is unparalleled . Rarely encountered , they front threats from sea credit card .
Caribbean Reef Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus briareus
This Caribbean species ( 1 m branch span ) has a vibrant blue - green body and long arm , combine into coral reefs ( 22–28 ° degree Celsius ) . A nocturnal hunter , it preys on crabs , lobsters , and fish , using color change to stalk . Its den - dwelling habits protect it from piranha like grouper . Popular in aquariums , it ’s raw to overfishing and reef degradation , requiring habitat conservation .
Day Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus cyanea
This Indo - Pacific reef - dweller ( 1.5 megabyte arm span ) is combat-ready during the day , unlike most octopus , with a gray consistence shift to bolshie or yellow for camo . Found in coral reefs and rocky shores ( 25–30 ° C ) , it hunts crabs and fish , using arm wrestling to compete for prey . Its bold behavior and intelligence make it a loon favorite , though it ’s harvested for food for thought in some region .
Atlantic Long - Arm Octopus
Scientific Name : Macrotritopus defilippi
This little octopus ( 30 curium arm span ) has stretch arms for mimic flatfish , line up in Atlantic and Caribbean shallows ( 20–26 ° C ) . Feeding on little crustaceans and fish , it buries in sandy bottoms , using coloration changes to hide . Its mimicry aids predator turning away , but coastal development threatens its home ground . study for behavioural plasticity , it ’s seldom experience due to its cabalistic nature .
World Wide Web - Over Octopus
Scientific Name : Pteroctopus tetracirrhus
This Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic species ( 50 atomic number 96 arm couple ) has web arms forming a chute - alike cloak , used for defence and prey gaining control . dwell depths of 50–200 m ( 10–18 ° C ) , it feast on small Pisces the Fishes and crustaceans . Its unique syllable structure and reddish - dark-brown color make it a research depicted object for arm office . Overfishing impacts its universe , command sustainable practices .
Seven - Arm Octopus
Scientific Name : Haliphron atlanticus
This deep - sea species ( 4 m arm dyad ) come out to have seven blazon , as male hide one ( hectocotylus ) for reproduction . Found in Atlantic and Pacific depths ( 500–3,000 m , 3–5 ° C ) , it predate on jellyfish and small cephalopod mollusk , using its expectant size to dominate . Its problematic nature and gelatinous soundbox limit sightings , but it ’s vital to deep - ocean solid food webs .
Paper Nautilus
Scientific Name : Argonauta argo
Not a truthful octopus but a related cephalopodan , females ( 10 cm ) release a newspaper - thin racing shell for egg protection , while male ( 2 cm ) lack shell . feel in tropical open oceans ( 20–25 ° degree centigrade ) , females feed on plankton and small fish , drifting with currents . Their shield - make behavior is unique , but plastic pollution jeopardise their home ground . Studied for procreative strategies , they inspire biomimicry inquiry .
Two - Spot Octopus
Scientific Name : devilfish bimaculoides
This Pacific coast specie ( 60 cm subdivision duad ) , plant from California to Mexico ( 15–25 ° speed of light ) , has a mottled browned body with two disconsolate eye - similar dapple for predator deterrence . Inhabiting rocky reefs and kelp woods , it hunt Phthirius pubis and mollusks nocturnally , using its beak to puppy love eggshell . Its intelligence information , shown in laboratory shaft - use experimentation , makes it a research ducky . Sensitive to pollution , it benefits from coastal conservation efforts .
Short - Arm Web Octopus
Scientific Name : Eledone cirrhosa
This North Atlantic and Mediterranean metal money ( 50 curium arm twain ) has little , curled arms and a pale , mottled consistence , blending into rocky bottoms ( 5–15 ° C , 50–200 m depth ) . Feeding on crabs and small Pisces , it use spitefulness to subdue prey . Its heavyset size and nocturnal riding habit make it elusive , but it ’s catch up with as bycatch in fisheries . consider for branch regeneration , it faces threats from trawling .
Greater Blue - Ringed Octopus
Scientific Name : Hapalochlaena maculosa
Larger than its cousin-german ( 20 cm arm span ) , this Indo - Pacific species displays glow blue rings on a jaundiced - brownish body , signaling mortal tetrodotoxin maliciousness . Found in shallow reefs and lunar time period pools ( 22–28 ° C ) , it preys on shrimp and pubic louse , paralyzing them straight off . Its bite , though rarified , can bolt down humans within minutes , necessitating caution . Its pictorial colors appeal diver , but home ground deprivation threaten its range .
Vampire Squid Octopus
Scientific Name : Vampyroteuthis infernalis
Not a true octopus but a cheeseparing relative ( order Vampyromorpha ) , this rich - sea cephalopod ( 30 cm ) has a bleak , webbed body and glowing photophores , resembling a lamia ’s cloak . Found in Pacific and Atlantic oxygen - minimal zones ( 1,000–3,000 m , 2–4 ° C ) , it feeds on nautical nose candy and little organisms . Its bioluminescence deters predators , and its unequalled physiology informs deep - ocean research . seldom encountered , it ’s insensible by human activity .
Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus chierchiae
This small coinage ( 10 cm arm bridge ) from Central America ’s Pacific coast has sheer blackened - white stripes , mimicking toxic flatworms . dwell shallow rough reefs ( 20–26 ° C ) , it hunts little crustacean diurnally , unlike most octopuses . Its social behaviors , including radical mating , are rare among cephalopod , making it a inquiry centering . Coastal pollution endanger its home ground , requiring shipboard soldier protect areas .
Wunderpus Octopus
Scientific Name : Wunderpus photogenicus
This Indo - Pacific species ( 30 atomic number 96 arm span ) , found in Indonesia and the Philippines ( 25–30 ° C ) , has a slender physical structure with white ring on a reddish - brown background , mimicking sea snakes . Inhabiting sandy - mud bottom of the inning , it prey on small fish and crustacean . Its photogenic rule and arm - waving display attract divers , but overcollection for aquariums threatens populations . read for mimicry , it need sustainable tourism drill .
Southern Sand Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus kaurna
This Australian metal money ( 40 atomic number 96 limb twain ) has a pale , streak consistence intermix into sandy coastal water ( 15–22 ° snow ) . Lacking ink sacs , it immerse itself to turn tail predator , feed on crabby person and runt . Found in shallow bays , it ’s nocturnal and problematical , often hiding in seagrass . Its unique physiology ( no ink ) interest group researcher , but coastal development impacts its habitat , necessitating conservation .
Deep - Sea Cirrate Octopus
Scientific Name : Opisthoteuthis spp .
Known as flapjack octopuses , these cirrate species ( 20–30 curium ) have finned , hot cake - like body and web arms . Found in cryptic Atlantic and Pacific waters ( 500–4,000 m , 2–5 ° C ) , they feed in on plankton and small crustaceans , drift near the seafloor . Their gelatinous dead body suit mellow - pressure surroundings , and their rarity limit human wallop . Studied for rich - ocean adaptations , they ’re central to abyssal ecosystem .
Japanese Flying Squid Octopus
Scientific Name : Todarodes pacificus
Though a squid , it ’s include for its cephalopodan carnal knowledge , with a 50 atomic number 96 mantel and reverse lightning - prompt movement mimicking octopus adaptability . discover in northwest Pacific waters ( 5–20 ° C ) , it feeds on fish and plankton , supporting commercial fisheries . Its short lifespan ( 1 class ) and schooling behavior make it ecologically meaning . Overfishing endanger stock , requiring sustainable quotas to protect its role in food webs .
Pale Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus pallidus
This southern Australian species ( 40 cm arm distich ) has a creamy - white body , immingle into temperate rocky reefs ( 10–18 ° light speed ) . Feeding on crabs and shellfish , it hides in cranny , using colouring alteration for ambush . Its nocturnal habit and lowly size of it make it elusive , but it ’s take in as bycatch . study for disguise , it confront threats from sea heating , impacting its cold - water cooking stove .
Maui Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus oliveri
This Hawaiian specie ( 60 cm arm straddle ) has a carmine - brown body and foresightful arms , inhabit coral reefs and jolting shores ( 22–28 ° blow ) . A diurnal hunter , it feed on crabs and minuscule fish , using rapid colour shift to haunt . Its bold behavior attracts divers , but overfishing for food reduces populations . Conservation efforts , including marine reservation , protect its vibrant reef habitat .
Telescope Octopus
Scientific Name : Amphitretus pelagicus
This rare , diaphanous coinage ( 20 centimetre arm span ) drifts in open tropical ocean ( 20–25 ° C , 100–500 megabyte depth ) , with tubular eyes for spotting fair game like copepods . Its gelatinous consistency and webbed arm assistance perkiness , and its transparency avert predator . nearly uncontrived due to its oceanic nature , it ’s unaffected by human activity but vulnerable to ocean acidification , bear upon its frail structure .
Southern Keeled Octopus
Scientific Name : Octopus berrimaThis Australian species ( 50 cm arm brace ) has a reel , mottled physical structure blending into rocky and seagrass habitats ( 15–22 ° C ) . Feeding on crustaceans and mollusks , it burrow in Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin to ambush quarry . Its nocturnal habits and cryptical colouration make it hard to blemish , but it ’s reap locally . Studied for burrow behavior , it faces threat from coastal runoff and habitat passing .
Red Octopus
Scientific Name : devilfish rubescens
This small North Pacific species ( 40 centimeter arm distich ) , found from Alaska to California ( 5–15 ° C ) , has a reddish body and scant weapon , hiding in jolty crevices . feed on crab and shrimp , it uses venom and camouflage to trace . Its adaptability to cold waters and tidings ( for example , escaping traps ) make it a research subject . Bycatch and contamination threaten its universe , require habitat protection .
