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The octopus group makes up around a third of the worlds cephalopod population, with around 300 species found in waters around the world. The octopus can be found in the all the worlds oceans, with the octopus ranging in size from a just few centimeters to number of feet depending on the species of octopus!

The octopus often has a sharp beak, and an octopus will always have eight arms (unless any have been lost). Most species of octopus generally have arms with circular sucker pads on.

The lifespan of the octopus depends on the species of octopus, with many species of octopus averaging around 6 months old. Some species of octopus however, particularly the bigger octopus species, can live for a few years.

The octopus is well known for being a master of disguise and is able to blend into pretty much any background using its elaborate camouflage. The octopus not only uses this to its advantage for both hiding from potential prey and predators, but it is also thought to play a role in the male octopuses mating display, in order to attract a female octopus.

The octopus is also thought to have three hearts, two of which are used for pumping blood through the gills, and another for pumping the pale blue blood of the octopus through the rest of the body.

Generally, most species of octopus have no internal or external skeleton which means that the octopus is able to squeeze itself into tight places. The octopus is known to be one of the most intelligent of all the invertebrates and the octopus uses this to its advantage mainly using elaborate disguise.

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Octopus Facts

Kingdom: A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....	Animalia
Phylum: A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....	Mollusca
Class: A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....	Cephalopoda
Order: A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....	Octopoda
Family: A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....	Octopodidae

Scientific Name:	Octopus Vulgaris
Type:	Mollusca
Diet:	Omnivore
Size:	0.3-4m (1-13ft)
Weight:	5-75kg (11-165lbs)
Top Speed:	43km/h (27mph)
Life Span:	2-15 years
Lifestyle:	Solitary
Conservation Status: The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...	Least Concern

Colour:	Tan, Brown, Red, Orange, Blue, Purple
Skin Type:	Smooth
Favourite Food:	Crabs
Habitat: The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...	Tropical and temperate waters worldwide
Average Litter Size:	80
Main Prey: When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....	Crabs, Fish, Scallops
Predators: When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...	Eels, Sharks, Dolphins
Special Features:	Eight tentacles with suckers and ink sack

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