The Ultimate Octopus Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
The Ultimate Octopus Quiz
Image: Alexander Rieber/EyeEm/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Octopuses are mysterious sea-creatures that always seem to intrigue young children. Octopuses are smarter and more talented than you may think. They even have a unique defense mechanism to protect them against predators. Take this quiz and learn about the mysteries of the octopus.
A male pillow octopus is ______ a female pillow octopus.
lighter than
heavier than
the same weight as
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A female pillow octopus is 40,000 times heavier than a male pillow octopus.

How do pillow octopuses mate?
The male octopus has sperm in his arm.
They mate with typical sex organs.
The male octopus has sperm in his head.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The male octopus has sperm in one of his arms, which he actually tears off and gives to a female octopus. Talk about a romantic gift!

What does an octopus feel like?
a snake
the inside of your cheek
sand paper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An octopus feels like the inside of your cheek. An octopus is actually not slimy.

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Octopuses use their arms for:
moving around
tasting
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses arms are very versatile. They use their arms for moving around, feeling and tasting.

Octopuses are related to:
clams
snails
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses belong to the phylum mollusca. Clams, snails and slugs are their closest relatives.

Why are octopuses referred to as cephalopods?
because they have many long arms
because their arms protrude out of their head
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cephalopod means "head-footed”. Therefore, octopuses are given the name cephalopod because their arms protrude directly from their head.

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Octopuses have:
only arms
arms and tentacles
arms and antennas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people make the mistake by saying octopuses have tentacles. In reality, octopuses only have arms, which they use to do just about everything.

What is found inside an octopus's mantle?
hearts
digestive system
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mantle is a muscle-like structure where all of the octopus's organs are found, including the heart, digestive system and reproductive glands.

How do octopuses protect themselves from predators?
camouflage
a hard protective shell
poisonous arms
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chameleons can learn a thing or two from octopuses. Octopuses have sophisticated camouflage abilities.

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What color is octopus blood?
red
green
blue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses have blue blood, because a copper-containing protein binds to oxygen in their blood.

How many hearts does an octopus have?
two
three
four
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An octopus's blood does a bad job of circulating oxygen. Therefore, octopuses need three hearts to ensure good oxygen circulation.

Chromatophores allow an octopus to:
reproduce
regenerate arms
change color
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chromatophores are pigmented cells that are found all over an octopus's body. These cells contain three colors and allow the octopus to blend in with its surroundings.

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How quickly can an octopus change color?
less than a second
less than a minute
less than a hour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The color-changing quality of an octopus is controlled by the nervous system. This means an octopus can change color in less than a second.

What are iridophores?
reflective cells
color cells
receptor cells
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The octopus also has numerous iridophores, which are reflective cells, all over its body. These reflective cells help accentuate the camouflage effect.

An octopus's eyesight is:
non-existent
mediocre
very good
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The anatomy of an octopus's eyes is similar to the human eye. Octopuses can easily see their prey and predators.

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An octopus's brain is:
very small
highly evolved
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An octopus may have a small brain, but it has a rather complex nervous system.

An octopus's arms are mainly composed of:
muscle
fatty tissue
nerves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses are very strong. Their arms are composed primarily of muscle, giving them the ability to tear through plexiglass.

Octopuses are:
nomadic
nocturnal
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses hunt for their food only at night and relocate their home every few weeks.

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What is the activity level of a typical octopus?
very lazy
somewhat active
hyperactive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses are known for being lazy, spending most of their time immobile in their den.

A typical octopus lives for:
a few years
many years
a few decades
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Octopuses generally have a very short lifespan, about three to five years.

You Got:
/20
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