How long do common octopuses live?

Their lifespan is short, typically only about one to one and a half years.

What does a common octopus eat?

It preys mainly on shellfish, prying shells open with its arms or drilling through them with its radula to inject venom, and has even been recorded eating other octopuses.

Does the common octopus keep its den clean?

Yes, it regularly clears leftover food and debris out of its den entrance.

Common Octopusマダコ

Octopus vulgarisLC— Least Concern

The common octopus is a short-lived but highly intelligent cephalopod found along East Asian coasts, known for cracking open shellfish with its beak, curling defensively when attacked by predators like moray eels, and even tidying debris out of its den.

Common Octopus (reference photo) — Photo: Beckmannjan / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Octopoda / Octopodidae Source
Size: Total length around 60 cm (mantle length up to 15 cm)
Weight: About 3.5 kg
Lifespan: Said to be 1 to 1.5 years
Diet: Carnivore Feeds mainly on mollusks, prying shells open with its arms or drilling a hole with its radula and injecting venom; cannibalism also occurs
Distribution: Distributed along East Asian coasts from the East China Sea to the South China Sea; in Japan found mainly from Honshu (especially south of Sanriku) southward, in waters from the intertidal zone to about 40 m depth. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

When attacked by a moray eel, it curls its arms around its body to form a defensive ball. Source
It keeps its den tidy, carrying leftover food scraps and debris outside. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

Source

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

Source

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How long do common octopuses live?: Their lifespan is short, typically only about one to one and a half years. Source
What does a common octopus eat?: It preys mainly on shellfish, prying shells open with its arms or drilling through them with its radula to inject venom, and has even been recorded eating other octopuses. Source
Does the common octopus keep its den clean?: Yes, it regularly clears leftover food and debris out of its den entrance. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org