SeaWorld/Busch Gardens

Ask Shamu: octopus

Octopus


Q: How much do octopuses weigh?

A: The largest known octopus is the Pacific giant, which ranges from California to Alaska and off eastern Asia south to Japan. It is not known exactly how large these creatures can grow but the average mature male weighs about 51 pounds (22.95 kg) and has an arm span of about eight feet (2.42 m). The largest specimen, found off western Canada in 1957, had an estimated arm span of 31 1/2 feet (9.6 m) and weighed about 600 pounds.

Q: How many suction cups does an octopus have?

A: Most octopus have eight tentacles. Each tentacle has two rows of suction cups with about 250 suckers on each arm. This totals about 2,000 suction cups per octopus. They use the suckers to capture prey -- crabs and other small crustaceans.


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