common octopus
cephalopod
Also known as: Octopus vulgaris
Quick Summary
common octopus
The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) moving through water.
The common octopus, O. vulgaris, is a widely distributed cephalopod mollusk found in tropical and temperate seas. It is known for its intelligence and ability to rapidly change skin color. Octopuses have eight arms with suckers, a beak, and a radula for feeding. They move by crawling or by expelling water through a siphon. When threatened, they can release an inky substance to aid their escape. The common octopus primarily feeds on crabs and other crustaceans and is considered the most intelligent invertebrate animal.1
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