{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "octopus",
  "name": "Octopus",
  "scientificName": "Octopus vulgaris",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "The octopus is a soft-bodied marine invertebrate with eight arms, three hearts, and blue, copper-based blood, widely regarded as the most intelligent of all invertebrates. Octopuses can change color and texture in an instant to camouflage, squeeze through tiny gaps, and solve problems and use tools. Most species are short-lived, typically around 1 to 2 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Mollusca",
    "class": "Cephalopoda",
    "order": "Octopoda",
    "family": null,
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 3,
    "lengthM": 1,
    "topSpeedKmh": 25,
    "lifespanYears": 2
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Octopus vulgaris"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Oceans, from reefs to the deep sea"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "1–2 years (most species)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "3–10 kg (7–22 lb) common octopus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 25 km/h (16 mph) in a jet burst"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Coastal reefs, rocky seabeds, and the deep sea of oceans worldwide.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Hanlon, R. T. & Messenger, J. B. (2018). Cephalopod Behaviour (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Mather, J. A. (2008). Cephalopod consciousness: Behavioural evidence. Consciousness and Cognition.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Octopus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Courtney-Jones, S. K. B. et al. (2022). Octopus IUCN assessments. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/octopus/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/octopus/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}