News Animals

Octopus arms are adaptable but some are favored for particular jobs

The cephalopods don't use every limb in the same manner, something they share with primates

A pale, speckled octopus rests on the sandy seafloor, with some of its arms curled into tight spirals while others stretch outward.

Octopuses tend to use their rear arms more frequently than their front arms for moving their bodies, such as pushing or rolling along the seafloor, as seen in this Octopus americanus.

Roger Hanlon

By Jake Buehler

All eight arms of an octopus can be used for whatever their cephalopod owner wishes, but some arms are favored for certain tasks.