On the floor of almost any ocean in the world, in the cracks and crevices of ocean rock is the common habitat of the octopus. Peeking into the world of the octopus is a fascinating glimpse into an underwater ecosystem.

The habitat of the octopus will largely depend on the type of octopus. Most octopuses live in warm ocean waters, with the exception of the giant Pacific octopus, which makes its home in the North Pacific Ocean. Most octopuses prefer the bottom of the ocean as their home, although there are varieties that spend at least part of their lives on the surface layer of the open ocean. The areas in the ocean that have the highest concentration of octopuses are coastal areas, reef areas, and benthic or ocean floor areas.

There are certain similarities for all types of octopus habitats. Octopuses are cephalopods and have a completely boneless structure. As such, the creatures are extremely flexible; able to squeeze their bodies into the smallest nooks and crannies to avoid attack by predators. They are nesting creatures, making a home in such a crack on or near the ocean floor, or sometimes even digging a hole in the sand to develop a lair. Her home provides a hiding place from predators as well as a place where the female can lay and incubate her eggs. An interesting fact about the octopus is that it will collect crustacean shells or rocks and build a fortress around the entrance to its lair to disguise it.

There are several types of marine life in the octopus habitat that serve as food. Small crabs, fish, crustaceans, snails, and even other octopuses provide a nutritious diet for the creature. To eat, the octopus catches and secures its prey using the suction cups on its arm. All arms pick up the prey and bring it closer to the octopus’s mouth, where the beak is used to bite the prey. Paralyzing saliva is injected into the prey, which serves to tenderize the meat; allowing it to be eaten by the octopus when it breaks into bite-sized pieces.

Sharks, moray eels and dolphins share the habitat of the octopus, but not in a friendly way. These creatures are predators of the octopus. The octopus often manages to escape capture thanks to its ability to take on the color, pattern and texture of any other surface; becoming invisible. Or, it will emit a black ink that dulls its attacker’s sensory perception long enough to allow the octopus to escape.

The octopus is a fascinating creature; intelligent, interesting and curious, as well as being an intricate member of the ecosystem. The underwater world is a wonderfully balanced ecosystem, in which the habitat of the octopus plays an important role.