An octopus is a soft-bodied, eight-limbed mollusc belonging to the order Octopoda, which includes around 300 species within the class Cephalopoda. They have a bilaterally symmetric body with two eyes and a beaked mouth, able to change shape and squeeze through tight spaces. Octopuses use a siphon for both respiration and locomotion. Known for their intelligence, they inhabit various ocean regions, from coral reefs to abyssal depths.
Most species mature quickly and have short lifespans, with males dying soon after mating while females care for their eggs until they hatch. They defend themselves using ink, camouflage, and quick escapes. While all octopuses are venomous, only blue-ringed octopuses can be fatal to humans. Octopuses feature in mythology and are eaten as delicacies in many cultures, particularly in the Mediterranean and Asia.
