This story ran in the April 2016 issue of National Geographic magazine. In most octopus species it’s customary after sex for the female to make a meal—of her partner. To avoid being eaten, the ...

This octopus species lives in open water in Earth’s tropical and subtropical seas. It’s not the easiest place to find a mate, especially since the male is tiny—less than three-quarters of an ...

Octopus mothers slam themselves against rocks and eat their own arms before their eggs hatch. Scientists have discovered what ...

A devoted mother pearl octopus brooding her eggs – the baby octopus’s eyes and tentacles are visible inside the egg casings – showing they are half way through their development. In 2018 ...

When they're not out hunting for food or looking for a mate, they hide in crevices or shells. They generally eat small crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp, and can live for about two years. The blue ...