Octopuses

Octopuses are the most remarkably propelled of every last trace of the mollusks. Most octopuses live on the sea floor where they hunt live prey, but some kinds are specialized swimmers found in the deep sea.

Octopuses are relatives of squids, and have much in common with them. Both exist just in the ocean, both have soft figures, both have suckered tentacles for handling prey, and both have a horny snout to slash up sustenance. Octopus eyes are similar in design to our own. Octopuses also have big brains. In fact, they are probably the most intelligent invertebrates. In captivity they quickly learn new tricks, such as unscrewing the lid of a jar to get at food inside. They are not sociable animals, though—most prefer to live on their own.

Unlike squids, the majority of which are streamlined for swimming fast through the ocean, octopuses are adapted for a life on the sea floor. Their figures will consistently be indistinct and baglike. They use their strong, muscular arms to pull themselves along, catch prey, or pick up objects—and to stroke each other during courtship. If danger threatens, octopuses can swim backward quickly by squirting water out of a tube beneath their heads, using a form of jet propulsion.

Typical Octopuses

There are numerous tribes of octopuses, but the bestknown ones all belong to a single large family of mainly shallow-water species. These “typical” octopuses include the common octopus of Europe that has been caught and eaten since ancient times. The world’s largest octopus, the giant octopus of the North Pacific, also belongs in this family.