An octopus is a cephalopod mollusc of the order Octopoda. It has two eyes and four pairs of arms and, like other cephalopods, it is bilaterally symmetric. An octopus’s body is made mostly of soft material so it can easily change its shape, which is an advantage for getting food and avoiding predators.
Octopuses are found in many different habitats around the world, including shallow water areas near coasts and in deep waters far from land. They have good eyesight and can see color. Octopuses use their arms to explore their surroundings and capture prey. They also use ink to defend themselves or to escape if they feel threatened.
Most octopuses eat crabs, shrimp, lobsters, clams, oysters, snails, fish, and other small animals. They catch their prey with their tentacles and then kill it by biting it with their beak-like mouths. Octopuses are eaten by sharks, dolphins, seals, birds, and fishes.
The average lifespan of an octopus is 3–5 years in the wild but some species can live up to 15 years in captivity.
Octopus
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