Species · GBIF taxon 2289671
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgarisAlso known as European Common Octopus, Atlantic Common Octopus
Common octopuses are highly intelligent, solitary invertebrates renowned for their remarkable ability to instantly camouflage by altering both their skin color and texture. They navigate complex rocky reefs and sandy seafloors, using their sensitive, sucker-lined arms to explore crevices, manipulate objects, and hunt. To escape threats, they can deploy a cloud of dark ink or squeeze their highly compressible bodies into incredibly tight crevices.
IntelligentMarineCamouflage
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crabs
- Clams
- Lobsters
Predators
- Moray Eels
- Sharks
- Dolphins
ThreatsOverfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change
HabitatsCoastal waters, rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy seafloors
Life span1 to 2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyOctopodidae
- SpeciesOctopus vulgaris
N. Atlantic S. Atlantic Mediterranean
Marine distribution — the ocean basins and seas where the species occurs.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful bite with its sharp beak if handled; observe from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses a sharp chitinous beak and mildly toxic saliva used to paralyze prey, which can cause painful swelling and bleeding in humans.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a bulbous mantle, eight arms with double rows of suckers, and rapid color-changing skin.
- What to do
- Never attempt to handle or corner an octopus; admire their intelligence and movements from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Look for dens: Scan rocky crevices for piles of discarded shells, known as middens, which often mark a den entrance.
- Watch for color shifts: Observe from a distance to see rapid skin pattern changes as they react to their surroundings.
- Avoid touching: Keep hands away to prevent triggering a defensive bite from their sharp, hidden beak.
Predator 
Close Relative Jeremyse at en.wikipedia / Public domain · cc0
Giant Relative "Giant Pacific Octopus" by jurvetson is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-byVenomous Relative
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