Octopus Facts

[StuartDH]

If you are looking for octopus facts then this is where you need to be. We have lots of octopus facts, but you can also add your own.

An octopus has eight arms, a large bulbous head and large eyes

It's a fact that the octopus has a very good capacity for learning and has been shown to develop skills during tests. In fact, some people believe that An octopus is probably about as intelligent as a cat.

The octopus is an expert in camouflage, as it can change colour to blend in with its surroundings. in fact, the octopus doesn't just change colour. It completely changes its appearance and can match the texture and patterns of the surrounding objects.

You may already know that if an octopus is in danger it will usually release a cloud of black ink to obscure a predator's view of it. But did you know, the fact that the ink also contains a chemical that weakens the predator's sense of smell.

Did you know that one of the more incredible facts about an octopus is that even a fully grown adult can squeeze through the whole that is no bigger than a large coin.

When an octopus needs to move quickly it can dart off by expelling water through its mantles


If you know anymore octopus facts, please add them here

[paul m]

As well as being very tasty, the whole family of cephalopods (including octopuses) is very interesting. Their colour-changing abilities are useful for camouflage as mentioned but also allow communication between individuals. Cephalopod
Cephaolopods may actually be as intelligent as mammals ....

[Guy F]

There is a species of Octopus, I think called the Mimic Octopus, which can move it's legs in different ways to mimic other sea creatures, and they are pretty impressive mimics! Creatures that they are known to mimic include Sea Snakes, Stingrays and Blennys as well as lots of others.

Also, the small Blue-Ringed Octopus which is found on tropical coral reefs, I think around Australia, can kill a human with it's bite.

Guy

[dolphin]

apparently even the biggest ones can squeeze through a garden hosepipe

[ddnieper]

Hello StuartDH,
Thanks for your Octopus Facts.You mind sharing that on splashvision.com.I have seen a lot of videos related to Water Animals on SPLASHVISION. COM, I would suggest you guys to have a look over there and know more about Water Animals and Octopus.

[frostfire]

Octopi have 3 hearts and there are two types that can 'walk' on two of their tenticles; the Octopus marginatus and Octopus aculeatus. I also believe that males can take the female form to attract females.

[paul m]

Octopus - travel methods and great deal of other information.
including
Octopus - Species
is a very good site.
Amused to see that Octopus Travel is advertising with them - makes you wonder how they decided on their name

[black]

This made me giggle, I had a Mr Potato Head as a child

Mr Potato Head makes octopus pal

BBC NEWS | England | Cornwall | Mr Potato Head makes octopus pal

[goosey]

Thanks Black - a great "feel good" story! I wonder where the inspiration for a Mr. Potato Head came from when they were looking for a toy for Louis?
BTW, I never realised what beautiful creatures they are.

[paul m]

Cuttlefish are my favourite type of octopoid (let's stick with cephalopod then). They use their colour changes not only for camouflage or warning but actually to communicate with their mates (whichever way you interpret that ). I think the best bit of wildlife television I ever saw was an Attenborough sequence showing cuttlefish 'talking' to each other by colour changes.
Cuttlefish or Sepias (Sepia officinalis)