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{{Taxonomy|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Mollusca|class = Cephalopoda|subclass = Coleoidea|superorder = Octopodiformes|order = Octopoda|)}}

{{Taxonomy|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Mollusca|class = Cephalopoda|subclass = Coleoidea|superorder = Octopodiformes|order = Octopoda|)}}

An '''octopus''' is a [[cephalopod]] [[mollusc]] in the order Octopoda in its broadest sense, but also will refer more narrowly to groups of organisms within the family Octopodidae, or even more specifically the genus ''Octopus''.<ref name="brusca">Brusca, RC & Brusca GJ (2002). '''Invertebrates, 2 ed'''. Sinauer Associates Incorporated, Sunderland, MA.</ref>

An '''octopus''' is a [[cephalopod]] [[mollusc]] in the order Octopoda in its broadest sense, but also will refer more narrowly to groups of [[organism]]s within the family Octopodidae, or even more specifically the genus ''Octopus''.<ref name="brusca">Brusca, RC & Brusca GJ (2002). '''Invertebrates, 2 ed'''. Sinauer Associates Incorporated, Sunderland, MA.</ref>

 

==Description==

==Description==

Generally less actively swimming than fellow cephalopods [[squid]] and [[cuttlefish]], an octopus has eight flexible suckered arms, used for grasping rocks and prey as well as proppelling the octopus. These are often inaccurately referred to as "tentacles", but in fact that term refers specifically to two longer extremities which cuttlefish and squid have at the front of their bodies but octopuses do not.  To move, it may pull itself over the sea bed with its arms, but when in a hurry, it shoots a jet of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water.  

 

Generally less actively swimming than fellow cephalopods [[squid]] and [[cuttlefish]], an octopus has eight flexible suckered [[arm]]s, used for grasping [[rock]]s and prey as well as proppelling the octopus. These are often inaccurately referred to as "tentacles", but in fact that term refers specifically to two longer extremities which cuttlefish and squid have at the front of their bodies but octopuses do not.  To move, it may pull itself over the [[sea]] bed with its arms, but when in a hurry, it shoots a [[jet]] of water out of its body, thrusting it through the water.  

Octopuses use [[chromatophore]]s to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, they can eject a cloud of ink to mask their escape. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures.

Octopuses use [[chromatophore]]s to perfectly camouflage themselves against their background. When threatened, they can eject a cloud of ink to mask their escape. They can compress their bodies to fit through minute apertures.

==Diet==

==Diet==

Octopuses, after engulfing prey in their arms, inject it with venom. Some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of Australia, are highly venomous and are capable of killing a man with their bite.

 

Octopuses, after engulfing prey in their arms, inject it with [[venom]]. Some, such as the blue-ringed octopus of [[Australia]], are highly venomous and are capable of [[kill]]ing a man with their bite.

==Octopuses as food==

==Octopuses as food==

Octopus is a popular seafood, especially in [[Mediterranean]] and [[Oriental]] cuisines, though it must be cooked carefully to avoid the flesh becoming rubbery.

Octopus is a popular seafood, especially in [[Mediterranean]] and [[Oriental]] cuisines, though it must be cooked carefully to avoid the flesh becoming rubbery.

==Octopuses in popular culture==

==Octopuses in popular culture==

''The Octopus'' is also the name of novel by [[Frank Norris]].

''The Octopus'' is also the name of novel by [[Frank Norris]].

==Plural==

==Plural==

While "octopi" is the popularly use plural form of "octopus" and is sometimes listed as such in dictionaries <ref name="m-w">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus</ref>, it is incorrect <ref>

 

While "octopi" is the popularly use plural form of "octopus" and is sometimes listed as such in [[Dictionary|dictionaries]] <ref name="m-w">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus</ref>, it is incorrect <ref>

*Fowler, HW (1997) '''A Dictionary of Modern English Usage''' Wordsworth Editions. ISBN 1853263184

*Fowler, HW (1997) '''A Dictionary of Modern English Usage''' Wordsworth Editions. ISBN 1853263184

*http://www.colby.edu/biology/BI237/Lab/Tipstowritingscience.doc</ref>, with the strictly accepted plurals being "octopuses" and "octopodes".  Scholars working with cephalopods have settled on the usage of "octopuses" as plural for "octopus" in the narrow sense refering to species within the family Octopodidae<ref>

*http://www.colby.edu/biology/BI237/Lab/Tipstowritingscience.doc</ref>, with the strictly accepted plurals being "octopuses" and "octopodes".  Scholars working with cephalopods have settled on the usage of "octopuses" as plural for "octopus" in the narrow sense refering to species within the family Octopodidae<ref>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Molluscs]]

[[Category:Molluscs]]

[[Category:Seafood]]

[[Category:Seafood]]