Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Cephalopoda

Superorder: Octopodiformes

Order: Octopoda

Family: Octopodidae

Scientific name: Eledone cirrhosa

 

Norwegian: vanlig åttearmet blekksprut

(Halten - Sør-Trøndelag / 14 meters / 7.27.2008)

Distribution: The curled octopus can be seen anywhere along the cost of Norway, but is most frequent south of Trøndelag. It is usually found on rocky coasts, from the sublittoral zone and deeper.

Characteristics: First of all, this is probably the only eight-armed octopus you are likely to see while diving along the coast of Norway. This should ease the identification. The body is usually pale yellow with diffuse orange and brown patches on the dorsal side. Like other octopuses, it has the ability to change color rapidly to match the surroundings if it feels threatened. The skin is covered by clearly visible tubercles. It may reach a total length of 50 cm.

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