🐙

common Atlantic octopus

Octopus vulgaris

Not Evaluated →

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

2 years

Length

60 cm

Weight

5.0 kg

Trend

→ Stable

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

🥩

Carnivore

common Atlantic octopus is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore

Animal matter 100%

Full Taxonomy

Cephalopoda (शीर्षपाद)

Order

Octopoda (अष्टबाहु)

Family

Octopodidae (Common Octopuses)

Genus

Octopus (Octopuses)

Species

Octopus vulgaris (common Atlantic 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

California two-spot octopus

Octopus bimaculoides

Least Concern

🐙

Mexican four-eyed octopus

Japanese pygmy octopus

Atlantic banded octopus

Octopus zonatus

Data Deficient

View all species in Octopus →

Explore More

Marine Deep Ocean Floor

Compare Species

vs bighead octopus vs California two-spot octopus vs Mexican four-eyed octopus vs Sydney octopus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of common Atlantic octopus?

The scientific name of common Atlantic octopus is Octopus vulgaris. It belongs to the genus Octopus.

Where does common Atlantic octopus live?

common Atlantic octopus is found in Distributed across Chile, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.. Countries include Chile, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden.

What family does common Atlantic octopus belong to?

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

What does common Atlantic octopus eat?

common Atlantic octopus is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does common Atlantic octopus live?

common Atlantic octopus has an average lifespan of approximately 2 years in the wild.

What kingdom does common Atlantic octopus belong to?

common Atlantic octopus (Octopus vulgaris) belongs to the kingdom Animalia (प्राणी).

What are the closest relatives of common Atlantic octopus?

The closest relatives of common Atlantic octopus in the genus Octopus include Atlantic banded octopus, bighead octopus, California two-spot octopus, Mexican four-eyed octopus, Sydney octopus.