An octopus has three hearts.
COMPLETE SPECIES PROFILE
Common octopus
Octopus vulgaris
One species, many connections.
Also known as: common European octopus, common octopus
WHY IT MATTERS
One species, many connections.
It links rocky shelters with crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and larger predators.
- Scientific name
- Octopus vulgaris
- Animal group
- Invertebrate · Mollusca
- Environment
- Marine
PUBLIC-DOMAIN VISUAL RECORDS
Two additional perspectives
Together with the primary image, these records show behavior and habitat without covering the photographs with labels.
INTERACTIVE TAXONOMY
Interactive classification
Select any rank to understand what the classification means.
DID YOU KNOW?
Curiosities that reveal how it lives
Its blood uses copper-based hemocyanin and appears blue.
Skin cells can change color and texture in moments.
Most of its neurons are distributed through its arms.
Where it lives
Rocky coasts, reefs, caves, and seafloor shelters in warm and temperate seas.
How it lives
An active predator of crabs, shellfish, and fish.
Key adaptations
Flexible arms, powerful suckers, camouflage, problem-solving ability, and a soft body that fits through narrow openings.
Its connections
It links rocky shelters with crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and larger predators.
Pressures and protection
Overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and warming seas can alter local populations.