Wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Wunderpus photogenicus
- Common name
- Wunderpus octopus
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Wunderpus
- Size
- 12–25 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, mud
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic, predator
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Wunderpus photogenicus reaches 25 cm. Extraordinary octopus with brown-red body with highly contrasting cream-white patterns in irregular bands unique per individual (like fingerprints), very long thin arms. Lives from 5 to 50 m on sand and muddy bottoms of central Indo-Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Bali, Lembeh). Formally described in 2006 (hence photogenicus, popular before scientific description). Nocturnal and crepuscular predator of small invertebrates. Mythical macro photo subject of muck dives.
Photo of Wunderpus octopus
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Wunderpus octopus?
- Wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus) reaches 12–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Wunderpus octopus?
- Wunderpus octopus is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Wunderpus octopus dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Wunderpus octopus?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Wunderpus octopus?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the family Octopodidae
- Octopus vulgaris - Common octopus
- Hapalochlaena lunulata - Blue-ringed octopus
- Octopus mototi - Mototi octopus
- Abdopus aculeatus - Algae octopus
- Thaumoctopus mimicus - Mimic octopus
- Octopus hubbsorum - Hubbs' octopus
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 457573)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4621788)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia