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Gemeiner Octopus

Octopus vulgaris

Not Evaluated →

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

2 years

Length

60 cm

Weight

5.0 kg

Trend

→ Stable

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About

One of the most studied invertebrates in neuroscience and behavioral biology, common octopuses inhabit rocky reefs and seafloors in tropical and temperate coastal waters globally. Highly intelligent with distributed nervous systems — two-thirds of their 500 million neurons reside in their arms — they demonstrate tool use, problem-solving, and individual personalities. Masters of camouflage, they change skin color and texture in milliseconds. They have three hearts, blue copper-based blood, and extremely short lifespans of 1–2 years.

Fun Facts

✨ Two of their three hearts stop when they swim.
✨ They have been observed using coconut shells as tools.
✨ They can squeeze through any gap larger than their beak.

Habitat & Distribution

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

🧊 Marine Deep Ocean Floor 🐚 Marine Neritic

Distributed across Chile, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇨🇱 Chile

Diet & Behavior

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Carnivore

Gemeiner Octopus is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore

Animal matter 100%

Full Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia (Tier)

Phylum

Mollusca (Weichtiere)

Class

Cephalopoda (Kopffüßer)

Order

Octopoda (Kraken)

Family

Octopodidae (Common Octopuses)

Genus

Octopus (Octopuses)

Species

Octopus vulgaris (Gemeiner Octopus)

Names in Other Languages

Japanese ma-dako tako

Spanish pulpo

French pieuvre

German Gemeiner Octopus

Portuguese polvo comum

Russian obiknovenniy osminog

Similar Species in Octopus

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Atlantischer Streifenkrake

Octopus zonatus

Data Deficient

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Atlantischer Zwergkrake

Galapagos-Riffkrake Galapagos

Japanischer Zwergkrake

Octopus parvus

Data Deficient

View all species in Octopus →

Explore More

Marine Deep Ocean Floor

Compare Species

vs Atlantischer Streifenkrake vs Atlantischer Zwergkrake vs Bleichkrake vs Galapagos-Riffkrake Galapagos

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Gemeiner Octopus?

The scientific name of Gemeiner Octopus is Octopus vulgaris. It belongs to the genus Octopus.

Where does Gemeiner Octopus live?

Gemeiner Octopus is found in Distributed across Chile, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.. Countries include Chile, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden.

What family does Gemeiner Octopus belong to?

Gemeiner Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) belongs to the genus Octopus, which is part of the taxonomic family Octopodidae.

What does Gemeiner Octopus eat?

Gemeiner Octopus is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does Gemeiner Octopus live?

Gemeiner Octopus has an average lifespan of approximately 2 years in the wild.

What kingdom does Gemeiner Octopus belong to?

Gemeiner Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) belongs to the kingdom Animalia (Tier).

What are the closest relatives of Gemeiner Octopus?

The closest relatives of Gemeiner Octopus in the genus Octopus include Atlantischer Streifenkrake, Atlantischer Zwergkrake, Bleichkrake, Galapagos-Riffkrake Galapagos, Gemeiner Sydneykrake.