Octopuses are molluscs that belong to the class Cephalopoda and the order Octopoda, and are characterized by being invertebrate animals with a multiple nervous systemwhich makes it quite complex, since one part is made up of its central brain and another is distributed and connected in each of the ganglia that are located in its eight arms. This characteristic of the nervous system of octopuses has endowed them with peculiar capacities, being animals with an important development of intelligence that even in some cases rivals certain vertebrates.
On the other hand, octopuses exhibit striking behaviors, such as developing empathy for some people, cleaning and ordering their burrows, learning from adults, and having an excellent memory. This time, on our site, we want to present you with an article about the types of octopuses, so that you can learn more about some particular species of these interesting animals.
Atlantic Pygmy Octopus
The Atlantic pygmy octopus has the scientific name Octopus joubini and is a species found from the maritime zones of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to Guyana. This octopus can inhabit shallow sandy bottoms, in which it uses the shells of other mollusks, either to hide or to find a place that offers protection.
It is a quite small octopus compared to other species, reaching up to about 15 cm in total. It has short, thin and symmetrical arms, each having the same length.
The Atlantic pygmy octopus feeds primarily on clams and crustaceans, although it may include other marine animals. It is able to pierce the shell of its prey and inject a poisonous substance that paralyzes the victim. It is reddish brown in color but has the ability to change to a lighter color, such as cream.
The life expectancy of this species is one yearand reach sexual maturity quite quickly, in a period of about four and a half months. The females can lay large numbers of eggs and the young are born quite developed, being able to hunt almost immediately.
Caribbean Reef Octopus
Octopus briareus or commonly known as the Caribbean reef octopus, is a species found in tropical marine waters given its preference for warm. It extends from the southern United States to the northern coasts of South America. They inhabit shallow areas, between 3 and 20 meters, with temperatures of up to 30 ºC These octopuses are generally associated with coral reef communities, places that use To take refuge.
The Caribbean reef octopus can weigh up to 1 kilo and its mantle can only measure up to more than 5 centimeters, the total body It measures on average about 12 centimeters in length. They have a striking coloration, between green and bright blue and also reddish brown spots. Thanks to the presence of chromatophores, they can make changes in the color of the skin, which allows them to easily camouflage themselves. The eyes of the Octopus briareus are large and dark brown.
His arms are not symmetrical in length, so the longest arm can grow about five times the size of the mantle. In addition, each arm has two rows of suckers, which they use during hunting thanks to their large membranes.
Caribbean reef octopus sexually matures at 5 months, and like all octopuses they are monogamous and females have high offspring. When the young hatch from the eggs, they look the same as the adults, but are reduced in size. Their life expectancy is 12 months on average.
As a curiosity, we leave you this other article on How many brains does an octopus have?
Blue Ringed Octopus
The blue-ringed octopus is a common name used to refer to the genus Hapalochlaena, which is made up of a group of four different species, such as:
- Hapalochlaena lunulata.
- Hapalochlaena maculosa.
- Hapalochlaena fasciata.
- Hapalochlaena nierstraszi.
These species do not reach great size, measuring up to 20 cm; when they are in a resting state they have a coloration between brown and yellow. However, if the animal feels stressed or attacked, it changes color and displays the characteristic blue rings or lines that give the group its name. When it expresses this blue coloration, a quite striking animal with an attractive coloration can be observed. Thanks to the presence of various pigment cells, such as chromatophores, iridophores and leukophores, these animals can change color rapidly, expressing a large number of colorful patterns and shapes in their bodies.
But in addition to this striking color trait, blue-ringed octopuses have another important characteristic, They are highly poisonous animals, being able to kill to a person if first aid is not applied immediately, because there is no antidote for its powerful poison, which among other compounds mainly contains tetradotoxin, a neurotoxic substance that causes respiratory collapse However, the blue-ringed octopus does not usually attack directly unless it is to defend itself or hunt, although it is a species that does not keep hidden like other types of octopus.
This group has a geographical distribution from Japan to Australia, which includes the tropical zone. They have also been found on the Mexican coast.
Below are images of the first three types of blue-ringed octopuses. For now there are no photographs of the Hapalochlaena nierstraszi, since it has only been seen twice.
Common octopus
The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) inhabits coastal areas, from 20 to 200 meters deep. As for the specific regions, although in many countries they usually name the most abundant species in the area as common octopus, Octopus vulgaris is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
The growth of the common octopus occurs in two phases: an initial one when it is born, which is planktonic, and another benthic, which begins between 5 and 6 months of life. Males are usually heavier than females, with a weight range between 2 and 3 kg However, there are records of much heavier individuals. The average size is a meter and they are usually brown in color, but like many other octopus species, can make rapid changes in their coloration. The longevity of the common octopus does not exceed 13 months of life
On the other hand, the common octopus feeds on fish, crustaceans and other molluscs, as we explain in this other article on What do octopuses eat? But it can also devour individuals of its own species, so cannibalism may be part of its behavior.
Although they can reproduce throughout the year, they do so markedly both in spring and autumn, and the conditions of the marine environment play an important role in this process.
East Pacific Red Octopus
The Eastern Pacific red octopus (Octopus rubescens) has a mantle that can measure about 10 cm and arms that can reach 30 cm, weighing 150 gramson average, although there are heavier individuals..
Its distribution range goes from Alaska, the Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico, as well as maritime areas of Japan, inhabiting depths of 300 meters.
It has a coloration that is normally red, but can change to other shades such as reddish brown, yellow or have white spots, eventhey change the texture of the skin When it feeds it usually changes its color.
The Eastern Pacific red octopus has a varied diet that includes small fish, bivalves, crabs, krill and gastropods. Like all octopuses, it is a very intelligent species, in which distinctive behavioral traits have even been identified between one individual and another, a characteristic of intelligence.
If you want to know more about these incredible animals, don't miss this other article on How many hearts does an octopus have?
Pacific Pygmy Octopus
The Paroctopus digueti or Pacific pygmy octopus has a small size, with the presence of some big eyes that even protrude from the head. Its arms are short, reaching only two or three times the size of the mantle. On the other hand, in each of the arms there are suction cups, which add up to 138 in total.
The Pacific pygmy octopus inhabits the maritime regions of Mexico, the Gulf of California, the adjacent Pacific coasts, and the lower California peninsula. It prefers shallow sandy areas, including stagnant waters where there may be empty shells used by females to lay their eggs.
Studies of Paroctopus digueti have shown that females can produce between 50 to 150 eggs. The embryos, for their part, develop between 35 to 42 days and have an approximate lifespan of 7 months.
The diet of the Pacific pygmy octopus consists of shrimp, crabs, small fish and molluscs. However, it is one of the least studied octopus species on its biology and behavior.
Mimetic octopus
The mimetic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is a species that was identified in Indonesia in the late 1990s and inhabits tropical marine areas of some Asian regions The common name of this species comes from its interesting ability to be able to imitate the physical appearance and movements of at least 15 different species of marine animals, which it achieves at change color and change the shape of the body.
Among the species that the mimetic octopus manages to imitate are:
- The sea serpent.
- The lionfish.
- The starfish.
- The giant crab.
- The line.
- The jellyfish.
- The mantis shrimp.
The Thaumoctopus mimicus measures about 60 cm, when it is not imitating it is brown with white stripes. His arms are longer than normal, which makes his mimicry process easier.
Inhabits shallow areas, mouths of rivers into the sea and sandy bottoms, it has the ability to dig and feed on worms, fish, echinoderms and crustaceans.
For more information, don't miss this other article on Animal Mimicry - Definition, types and examples.
Giant Pacific Octopus
The Enteroctopus dofleini or giant Pacific octopus is the world's largest species of octopod They generally measure a little over 4 meters in length, although individuals of up to 9 meters have been identified The average weight is 50 kgand the record in this aspect is held by an individual weighing more than 270 kilos.
The giant Pacific octopus inhabits temperate waters from Alaska to southern California and is also found in Japan. The females can produce up to 100 thousand eggs and they reproduce in deep waters in the summer time. Then, in autumn and winter, they return to shallower waters, where the female will incubate her eggs.
Its diet is similar to that of other octopuses, although it may include small sharks and seabirds that it usually hunts at night. This is undoubtedly due to its size, which makes it easier for it to capture this type of prey.
The coloration of the giant Pacific octopus is usually brown, although it can change and is easily camouflaged between rocks and corals.
Seven Armed Octopus
The seven-armed octopus (Haliphron atlanticus) is a species that appears to have one less arm than the rest, however, It actually has eight like other octopuses, what happens is that the hectocotylus (the modified arm in males for reproduction) is enclosed in a sac near the right eye of the animal, for which it passes imperceptibly and gives the appearance of having only seven. When it is time for mating, the male releases this arm to introduce the spermatophore into the female, as we explained in this other article on How are octopuses born?
The seven-armed octopus is a large animal that can measure up to 4 meters and weigh more than 70 kilos, presenting a whitish discoloration on your body.
The octopus species Haliphron atlanticus can feed on certain types of jellyfish, small amphipods and shrimp. On the other hand, individuals have been identified in the waters of New Zealand, the North and South Pacific.
California Two-Spot Octopus
The Octopus bimaculoides, commonly known as the California two-spot octopus and also known as the bimac, is a species that inhabits subtropical waters, with temperature ranges between 12–25 ºC. It is distributed from California in the United States to Baja California in Mexico.
Its size is medium, measuring up to 60 cm with a maximum weight of 800 g. They prefer sandy and rocky areas less than 30 meters deep and have a longer lifespan than other octopuses, live up to 1.5 years.
Although it usually changes color regularly, it has a greyish color with yellow spots Its common name comes from the presence oftwo blue circular spots on each side of the head , which look like two fake eyes due to their proximity. It feeds on crabs, clams, mussels and snails.
Octopuses, as we have seen, are animals with various species that have striking features, such as intelligence and their unique ability to change color.
