- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:25 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Surprising Facts About Octopus: When we think of intelligent animals, monkeys and dolphins are frequently the first animals that spring to mind. But what if we tell you the smartest creature also lives in the sea? The octopus, one of the most intelligent sea animals on the planet, is another genius that lives beneath the waves. Known for their unique appearance, which includes eight arms, soft bodies and the capacity to change colour and shape in a matter of seconds, octopuses can be found in oceans all over the world. Their extraordinary intelligence, however, is what really sets them apart; they can recognise people, open jars, solve puzzles and even escape from tanks!
For many years, the octopus's intelligence has captivated scientists. Octopuses can think, learn and react almost instantly due to their nearly 500 million neurons, the majority of which are located in their arms. They are among the most intelligent invertebrates that science has discovered due to their memory and problem-solving abilities.
30+ Surprising Facts About The Smartest Sea Creature — The Octopus
On World Octopus Day, celebrated every October 8, it’s the perfect time to dive into some lesser-known and surprising facts about these mysterious ocean geniuses that continue to amaze researchers and marine lovers alike.
Physical Features of Octopus
1. An octopus has three hearts — two pump blood to the gills, one to the body.
2. Their blood is blue because it contains copper, not iron.
3. They can change colour and texture instantly to camouflage (disappear to protect themselves from the enemy).
4. Their soft bodies allow them to squeeze through tiny spaces.
5. Octopuses have no bones — only a hard beak made of keratin.
Intelligence And Behaviour Of Octopus
6. Octopuses can solve puzzles, mazes and open jars to get food.
7. They can remember solutions and learn through observation.
8. Scientists believe they have short- and long-term memory.
9. Octopuses can mimic other sea creatures for protection.
10. Each arm can act independently, almost like having its own brain.
Defence Mechanisms of Octopus
11. They eject ink from their skin to confuse predators.
12. Some species can detach an arm to escape and later regrow it.
13. Octopuses use camouflage (disappear when they see an enemy for protection) better than any animal on Earth.
14. The ink they release contains a mild venom that can dull predators’ senses.
15. They can mimic dangerous species like lionfish or eels.
Habitat and Lifestyle of Octopus
16. Octopuses live in oceans all over the world, from coral reefs to deep seas.
17. They prefer dark hiding spots like caves and crevices.
18. Most species are solitary and come together only to mate.
19. Some deep-sea octopuses can survive freezing temperatures.
20. They can crawl, swim, or even walk along the ocean floor.
Octopus Reproduction And Lifespan
21. Female octopuses lay thousands of eggs at once.
22. The mother guards her eggs without eating — and dies soon after they hatch.
23. Most octopuses live for just 1 to 2 years.
24. The giant Pacific octopus can live up to 5 years.
25. After mating, the male usually dies within months.
Octopus’s Unique Abilities
26. Octopuses can taste through their suckers.
27. They can use coconut shells and rocks as shelter — proof of tool use.
28. They can regenerate arms in just a few weeks.
29. Some species glow in the dark.
30. They can jet through the water by expelling water from their siphon.
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Human Connection And Fun Facts About Octopus
31. Ancient Greeks believed octopuses were symbols of intelligence.
32. In some cultures, they represent flexibility and mystery.
33. The plural of octopus can be “octopuses” or “octopodes.”
34. Octopuses have inspired movie monsters and robots.
35. Scientists call them “aliens of the ocean” due to their intelligence and adaptability.