Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Octopus vulgaris
- Common name
- Common octopus
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Octopus
- Size
- 30–130 cm
- Depth
- 0–200 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, rocky, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal, camouflage
- Ocean zones
- Mediterranean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Caribbean, Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific
Description
Octopus vulgaris is a cephalopod reaching 1.3 m arm-to-arm. Eight suckered arms, three hearts, blue blood. Can change color and skin texture in a fraction of a second. Solitary and nocturnal, highly intelligent. Short lifespan (1 to 2 years), dies after reproduction.
Photo of Common octopus
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common octopus?
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) reaches 30–130 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common octopus?
- Common octopus is found between 0–200 m deep.
- Is the Common octopus dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common octopus?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Common octopus?
- Found in: Mediterranean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Caribbean, Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Octopus
- Octopus mototi - Mototi octopus
- Octopus hubbsorum - Hubbs' octopus
- Octopus salutii - Spider octopus
- Octopus macropus - White-spotted octopus
- Octopus bimaculatus - Two-spot octopus
- Octopus briareus - Caribbean reef octopus
Other species in the family Octopodidae
- Hapalochlaena lunulata - Blue-ringed octopus
- Wunderpus photogenicus - Wunderpus octopus
- Abdopus aculeatus - Algae octopus
- Thaumoctopus mimicus - Mimic octopus
- Hapalochlaena maculosa - Blue-ringed Octopus
- Pteroctopus tetracirrhus - Four-armed Octopod
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 140605)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2289671)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia