Connecticut
NATURE
Common Core State Standard ELA: Reading Informational Text (3.1-7 through 6.1-7)
Animal Spotlight- Octopus
Article written by the Mystic Aquarium staff
Legends tell of an animal 30 feet long, weighing over 600 pounds with 8 arms. What did you picture?
If you said an octopus you are right. This was an account of a giant pacific octopus, the largest of the
octopus species. But this individual would certainly be an exception. Most adult giant pacific octopuses measure around 16 feet from tip to tip of outstretched arm and weigh around 110 pounds.
Relatives of the octopus include squid, snails and clams and all are classified as cephalopods, which
comes from a Greek word meaning “feet around the head.” Where all of these feet or arms come
together is the octopus’s mouth and beak. This beak is the hardest part of an octopus’s body, so even
a very large octopus can fit into a surprisingly small space. If their beak can pass through an opening
then the rest of their body will fit as well. It is possible for a fully grown giant pacific octopus to fit
through a hole the size of a lemon. This hard beak has a very important purpose, to crush the shells of
the octopus’s prey, which consists primarily of crabs, clams, snails and fish.
In order to catch its prey and get away from its predators (seals, sea lions, otters and larger fish) an octopus uses a variety of methods. Octopuses have
special pigment cells in their skin called chromatophores. They use these to change the color and texture of their skin to blend in, camouflage, with the
corals and rocks in the ocean. They also have a special sac, which contains a dark ink. When the animal is threatened the ink is squirted into the water
to confuse the predator and allow the octopus to escape.
The giant pacific octopus is common throughout its range. Their populations are naturally resilient due to their fairly short
lives, only 3-5 years, and fact that they produce up to 75,000 eggs at a time. Octopus is popular in Asian and Mediterranean
cuisine, so they are commercially fished, but not nearly as heavily as many other species.
Cool Connections to learn more:
• Visit http://www.mysticaquarium.org/animals-and-exhibits/species-of-the-month for additional facts on the
octopus, questions and answers with an aquarist, and photos and videos of the octopus at Mystic Aquarium.
• Take part in a Mystic Aquarium class, summer camp or teacher workshop either at your school or at the Aquarium to learn more about a variety of marine animals. Visit http://www.mysticaquarium.org/fun-and-learning for
more information.
Did You Know
• A female giant pacific octopus can have 2,240
suction cups on its body.
• The blood of an octopus is a blue/green color.
This coloration is due to a copper-containing protein in its blood.
• Octopuses have three hearts, one for each gill
and a third to pump
blood throughout its
body.
• The appendages of an
octopus are called arms,
not tentacles.
Corner
Trainer’s
Questions and Answers
with a Mystic Aquarium
Aquarist
Q: What is the most interesting thing you have seen an octopus do?
A: “I was using the plastic tubing you use for hamsters to feed the octopus and provide enrichment. I expected the octopus to use an arm to reach into the tubing to retrieve the food but it actually separated the pieces
of tubing and just kept the part with the food in it. I was amazed.”
Q: Why are there toys in the octopus exhibit?
A: “Octopuses are known for causing trouble so we are constantly changing their exhibit. For enrichment
and stimulation we introduce items such as hamster balls with food in them. The octopuses have even been
known to play with the filtration of their exhibit, flooding their area or even trying to climb out.”
Q: What is your favorite part of taking care of an octopus?
A: “The best part of my day is when I get to interact with the animal. They definitely all have unique personalities. You might not expect it, but every octopus is definitely an individual.”