What Divers Should Know About Common Octopus

Renowned for its remarkable intelligence, the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is one of the most studied cephalopods. Boasting approximately 500 million neurons, this mollusk exhibits complex cognitive abilities, including distinguishing brightness, navigating mazes, and recognizing individual people. Some individuals have even been observed creating "gardens" by collecting marine plants, algae, shells, and rocks.

Growing to a mantle length of 25 cm (10 inches) with arms extending up to 1 meter (3.3 feet), O. vulgaris can weigh as much as 9 kg (20 pounds). This widespread species has a relatively short lifespan of 1-2 years. Its extensive range covers the eastern Atlantic, from the Mediterranean and Black Seas to southern England and South Africa, including the Azores, Canary, and Cape Verde Islands, and also spans the Western Atlantic.

Primarily a crepuscular hunter, the common octopus emerges at dusk to feed. It prefers crabs, crayfish, and bivalve mollusks like cockles, though it will consume almost anything it can capture. Utilizing impressive color-changing camouflage to blend with its environment, it ambushes unwitting prey. A powerful beak allows it to break into shelled mollusks, and venom helps subdue its catch.