Q:
How many legs does an octopus have?
A:
Quick Answer
An octopus has eight legs, but they are more commonly referred to as tentacles. The name "octopus" is directly derived from the prefix "oct-" which means eight and is found in other words such as "octagon."
Continue Reading
Credit:
chang
Vetta
Getty Images
Full Answer
On each of the octopus' legs are suction cups that help the animal attach itself to surfaces. When threatened by predators, the octopus releases a stream of black ink that disrupts vision in the water and allows the octopus to flee. The octopus' squishy body allows it to hide in crevices that are unreachable by most ocean animals. If a predator happens to catch one of the octopus' legs, it can detach it and regenerate it again without any permanent damage.
Learn more about OctopiSources:
Related Questions
-
Q:
Is an octopus a fish?
A: Though it breathes through gills, the octopus is not a fish but a cephalopod marine mollusk. Also, unlike a fish, an octopus is an invertebrate, which mean... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Where is an octopus's mouth?
A: The mouth of an octopus is located on the lower side of its head. The mouth is shaped like a beak and conceals a toothed tongue called a radula, which is u... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are some octopus fun facts?
A: The octopus inhabits the water along several coastal regions in temperate, subtropical and tropical areas, including alongside the western coast of Africa,... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What animals eat octopi?
A: Predators of the octopus include eels, dolphins and sharks, among others. Octopi have many means of deterring predators, including the ability to detach an... Full Answer >Filed Under:
