The Oceans Gallery at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher houses many intriguing animals from ethereal floating jellyfish to a green moray eel. Yet one inhabitant, the common octopus, tends to enthrall visitors with its unusual body, movements and behavior.

Native to the Atlantic Ocean, the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) thrives in the waters off the North Carolina coast. In the Aquarium's exhibit, the octopus may unfurl its eight arms and display a bulbous head, known as the mantle. At other times, it can be seen hiding in plain sight, easily contracting its flexible body into a small space.

The common octopus’s intelligence separates it from other marine invertebrates. Research shows octopuses, members of the class Cephalopoda, are curious and able to learn. Enrichment activities created by Aquarium staff for these animals have employed screw-top jars filled with food and Mr. Potato Head toys.

The average life span in the wild of a common octopus is 12 to 24 months. The species may reach one to three feet in length.