Coconut octopus

The coconut octopus is a clever, medium-sized octopus known for carrying shells and coconut halves around as portable shelter. It grows up to 30 cm long including its arms, and weighs up to 400 g.

Also known as: amphioctopus marginatus, amphioctopus marginatus (taki, 1964), sand bird octopus, veined octopus

It can be confused with other small sand-dwelling octopuses. Watching for an octopus carrying shell halves beneath its body, rather than its colour or shape, is the most reliable way to confirm this species.

The body shows dark, branching lines like veins across the skin. The arms are usually dark with contrasting pale suckers, and a lighter triangular patch often sits just below each eye.

Lives on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal water, down to depths of 190 m. It favours areas littered with shells and debris, which it uses for shelter.

This octopus preys on crabs and clams and often digs a den in a coconut shell, seashell, or piece of litter on the seabed. It sometimes carries two shell halves around, tucked beneath its body, and fits them together as portable armour when threatened.

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  Atlantic White-spotted Octopus

  Pinnoctopus macropus

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  Big blue octopus

  Octopus cyanea

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  Brazilian Reef Octopus

  Octopus insularis

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  Caribbean Reef Octopus

  Octopus briareus

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  Common octopus

  Octopus vulgaris

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  Common Sydney Octopus

  Octopus tetricus