What Is the Octopus's Diet?

The octopus is an eight-legged, carnivorous mollusk that commonly inhabits coral reefs under the sea. Its legs contain pairs of tentacles, which are used for catching and trapping prey. The octopus uses its hard beak to kill the prey, sending a nerve poison into its body that kills and softens the flesh.

  1. Crustaceans

    • Crustaceans make up a large portion of the octopus's diet. Crabs, mollusks and snails are some octopus favorites. Octopi use their tongues, which contain many small, sharp teeth, to drill into and crack the hard shells of their prey.

    Fish and Turtles

    • Octopi have been known to eat fish and turtles. They can disorient their prey by squirting ink into the water, creating a cloudy effect that hinders the fish and turtles' ability to escape.

    Considerations

    • The National Geographic website explains that some of the larger octopi occasionally hunt sharks, birds and other octopi. They do most of their hunting at night when they can catch larger prey off guard. Giant Pacific octopi weigh about 110 pounds.