The octopus
The octopus, a true emblem of the Aquarium de Biarritz, is a master of disguise. Will you be able to spot it during your visit? Hint: check the hiding spots in its tank!
The octopus, Octopus vulgaris
Belongs to the Octopodidae family, which includes over 150 species of octopuses and squid. This marine mollusk can reach an impressive size of 130 cm and is mainly found in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic, from the British Isles to South Africa.
Remarkable abilities
The octopus is known for its extraordinary intelligence and impressive camouflage skills.
Thanks to specialized cells called chromatophores, it can change its color and texture in seconds, blending perfectly into its environment.
Its eight powerful arms, lined with suction cups, give it remarkable agility to move smoothly and grasp objects precisely on the ocean floor.
Biology
The octopus uses its eight smooth-suckered arms to move across the seabed and catch prey with stunning precision. You can spot its den by the piles of shells and crab remains — leftovers from its meals.
Feeding and reproduction
Carnivorous, the octopus hunts using its arms and venom. During mating, the male transfers spermatophores via a specialized arm. The female lays up to 500,000 eggs, which she carefully ventilates without feeding until they hatch — a process lasting 24 to 125 days. She dies soon after, exhausted by the effort.
Frequently asked questions
Can an octopus really open a jar?
Yes! Thanks to its dexterity, it can unscrew a jar lid to reach a crab trapped inside.
Is it clever enough to steal food?
Absolutely. The octopus can slip into fishing traps, help itself to fish or crustaceans… and then escape with ease.
Can it squeeze through tiny holes?
Yes – as long as the opening is at least 2 cm wide, which is the size of its beak, the only rigid part of its body. It tests the hole with an arm and instinctively knows if it can pass through.
Can it remember a maze?
Yes, the octopus can solve an unfamiliar maze in a few minutes. On the second try, it completes it in seconds — it has excellent memory!