P. Velasco (6/23/15). Mimic Octopus [Photograph] Retrieved from http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/the-talented-mimic-octopus/

Where Octopuses Live

Octopuses live in all of the worlds oceans, but are largely found in warm and tropical waters (National Geographic Kids, 2014). There are more than 100 different species of octopuses (Enchanted Learning, 2016). They are sea-dwelling mollusk that are closely related to squid.

Norbert Wu Productions (10/25/13). Oct25.JPG [Photograph] Retrieved from http://www.norbertwu.com/nwp/subjects/cephalopods/detail.np/detail-63.html

How Octopuses Live

Octopuses live alone in dens that they build from rocks (National Geographic, 2014). They typically live for one to three years depending on their species (National Wildlife Federation, 2016). Octopuses eat small crabs, scallops, snails, fish, turtles, and shrimp (Enchanted Learning, 2016).

Lero (n.d.). Suction Cups [Photograph] Retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-2692085-stock-footage-suction-cups-description-suction-cups-on-an-octopus.html

Octopuses Bodies

Octopuses have eight long flexible arms with two rows of suction cups on each arm (National Wildlife Federation, 2016). They use their suction cups to touch and taste things (National Wildlife Federation, 2016). Octopuses have a hard, sharp beak. They also have three hearts (DK, 2017).

C. Buttle (10/5/13). Camouflage [Photograph] Retrieved from http://www.futurescienceleaders.com/improbableobservations/2013/10/05/camouflage-the-secret-to-invisibility/

Danger

Octopuses are able to change the color and texture of their skin to camouflage themselves. If they become scared, an octopus can release ink into the water around them to confuse predators and allow themselves time to get away. Octopuses are able to move quickly by expelling water through their siphon (encyclopedia.com, 2016).